Pink Paris Design

For the more mature, Rococo-inspired, and Tumblr-based counterpart of this aesthetic, see Pink Parisian.

Pink Paris Design (also known as Triple Chic,^[1] Paris Bling, or Paris Party) is an aesthetic that gained popularity in interior design from the late 2000s to early 2010s, particularly in rooms or themed parties. The aesthetic draws on popular depictions of Paris and feminity from young girls' media. It is characterized by a color palette of black, white, and most prominently, pink. It often incorporates imagery such as the Eiffel Tower, mannequins, the fleur-de-lis, and poodles. Patterns like polka dots and stripes are common, along with girly motifs like bows, ribbons, and hearts. French blogs pejoratively nicknamed this trend "Oh Là Là Paris",^[2] likely because it incorporates a lot of clichés about France.

History[]

The roots of motifs associated with Pink Paris Design can be traced back to the mid-20th century, a time when pink became associated with femininity. Before World War II, the colour most stereotypically associated with girls and women was blue. This process was partly caused by cultural icons like Marilyn Monroe, particularly with her song "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" performed in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The increasing influence of French fashion in the West also contributed, as French culture became synonymous with elegance and style (see also Bon Chic Bon Genre). This perception gave rise to the "French girl" cliché in popular media, portraying French women as effortlessly chic, feminine, and alluring.

An emblem frequently used in Pink Paris Design is the fleur-de-lis, which has strong ties to the history of France. The stylized lilly has been associated with the French royalty since the Middle Ages, appearing on coats of arms, flags, and other symbols of power.

Another common motif are black and white stripes, officially known as the Breton stripes, which were worn by sailors in the Celtic region of Brittany during the 19th century. In the 1910s, Coco Chanel, a pioneer of women's fashion, embraced the pattern as part of her mission to liberate women from restrictive clothing.^[3] She believed that women's luxury clothing should be comfortable, and popularized the marinière bretonne in the Côte d'Azur. Later on, it became a staple of Breton culture, French fashion, and the Nouvelle Vague movement.

The 1950s saw the emergence of the poodle skirt, a quintessential symbol of the era created by Juli Lynne Charlot. It was inspired by poodles (caniches), a traditional French dog breed that became fashionable among women, even if now somewhat stereotypical and outdated. Many poodle skirt costumes also featured striped shirts and neckties.

These elements resurfaced in room design and themed parties during the late 2000s and early 2010s, but with a modern twist. The poodle skirt was repopularized in children's costumes, usually with a black poodle illustration (or alternatively a ribbon or the Eiffel Tower). Pink Paris Design also overlaps with other girly and feminine trends of the time, such as McBling and Teenpunk, which shared a similar color palette and the use of zebra prints. Children's media also played a major role in popularizing the Pink Paris Design aesthetic, as numerous films, television shows, and books aimed at young girls reinforced the image of Paris as a city of fashion and romance.

RochelleGoyleMonsterHigh2012 — Rochelle Goyle style guide from Monster High (2012)

Barbie depicted this through movies like "A Fashion Fairytale" (2010), where Barbie visits Paris to help her aunt's fashion house, and "Life in the Dreamhouse" (2012-2015), in which some episodes show Barbie and her friends enjoying cafes and fashion shows, mainly in Parisian settings. The Monster High franchise also contributed to this trend, particularly with the movie "Scaris, City of Frights" (2013), which took the characters to a fictional monstrous version of Paris filled with Gothic architecture and spooky fashion. One of the main side characters in the franchise, Rochelle Goyle, is a stylish gargoyle from Scaris, and uses many elements of the Pink Paris Design aesthetic in her outfit and doll box.

Visuals[]

Paris Party Bingo — A Paris Party bingo with various symbols associated with the aesthetic.

Pink Paris Design is based around the stereotype of Paris that many young girls grew up with: the capital of fashion, associated with romance, luxury and elegance.

The aesthetic incorporates furniture with elaborate details, such as headboards with decorative metalwork and mirrors with ornate frames. The Eiffel Tower is frequently depicted in various formats, including cheap statues, posters, and patterns. Random French words and phrases like "Bonjour" and "Oh Là Là" are often used as decorative elements on walls or furniture, typically written in fancy stylized fonts. The color palette primarily consists of black, white, and pink, sometimes with the addition of purple, cream, or beige. Poodles (also known as Caniches) are frequently included due to their association with French culture.^[4] The fleur-de-lis symbol is also common.

Other decorative elements may include vignettes, crowns, perfume bottles, and round hat boxes. Chandeliers and other lighting fixtures with decorative details are often featured, along with displays of clothing and jewelry using decorative hangers and stands. Patterns such as zebra prints, polka dots, and Breton stripes are often used on walls, bed sheets, and other decorative elements.

Shoe Diva-style illustrations and vector art are also very prevalent,^[5] which often depict pretty girls shopping.