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People Are Talking May 28, 2009 @ 12:20pm

Mangenta, Really?

by Abby Gardner

When we spotted the headline, “Hot Pink? Call It Mangenta” in the Wall Street Journal of all places, we definitely did a doubletake.

And so we read on. Apparently “mangenta” is a new name for fuchsia coined by hotelier Chip Conley. We think he’s mistaken in thinking this makes the color more masculine. Not that we have any sort of problem and with men and pink.

Actually, we rather like it and the fact that shade is popping up everywhere right now. But why not just own it, whether you’re wearing it or using to accent your newest hotel or restaurant?

Honestly we think that renaming a hue is just plain dumb. Even if said shade comes with so-called “psychological baggage” as the article claims.

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posted by guest

May 28, 2009 12:34PM

Lacroix, anyone? That seems to be the fashion story of the day.

posted by RashomonRebel

May 28, 2009 12:36PM

Abby is right. I have a couple of shirts from 845 MadAve. that are not as bright called "salmon". Mangenta is a desperate attempt at being creative.

A rose by any other name...

posted by darcykins

May 28, 2009 12:59PM

I almost wrote a really funny e-mail on the history of "Magenta" then realized the other 'n'.
Well, that's just stupid.

And I really don't think mean wearing pink is so taboo anymore.
I think too many sleazy guys wear pink button up shirts already. (guest #2 ?)
I hate that look. I hate men with button up 'clubbing' shirts that they wear with boot cut stone washed jeans. And I really hate when they dress that way at the office.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 1:02PM

dudes are historically bad with colors - from recognition of shades to correct naming....
magenta is definit. not fuchsia!!!! HUUUUUGE dif. that's kinda like calling car a bicycle.

posted by darcykins

May 28, 2009 1:04PM

guest 4 made same mistake i did.
by 'e-mail' i meant 'comment'
and 'mean' should be 'men'.

posted by Megs252

May 28, 2009 1:13PM

Mangenta, really? Grow a Mangina and just call it pink already, you big babies. If you're comfortable enough to trot around in a hot pink shirt, I think you should be comfortable enough to just call it pink and not give it a stupid "trendy" name.

posted by RashomonRebel

May 28, 2009 1:18PM

#3, I think you've mistaken me for the other man in your life.

http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/coping/projection.htm

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 1:20PM

i agree with #4

magenta has ALWAYS been a color... and is VERY different from fuschia

magenta = hot pink that is more on the reddish end

fuschia = hot pink that is more on the bluish (purple) end

posted by darcykins

May 28, 2009 1:28PM

guest 8 missed it too! hahaha
This is making me feel better about my mistake, but also sad that no one is noticing my comments besides Rashomon.

Rashomon did you actually read that link? I must say I'm guilty of 'projection' but it has nothing to do with getting the men of my life confused.
please find a more suitable link for the correct neurosis.
And Keith would never wear salmon.

posted by RashomonRebel

May 28, 2009 2:08PM

#9, I don't know which Keith you're talking about but here's the only relevant one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdncPR2sSsQ

posted by nycshoegal

May 28, 2009 2:08PM

Megs252, the "Mangina" just sent me off my chair and under the desk at the office. Thanks for the laugh of the day.

Rashomon and darcykins, I will be expecting an invitation to your wedding

posted by RashomonRebel

May 28, 2009 2:35PM

#11, thank you for taking down that previous picture, which made me think of Maggie Cheung everytime you came on.

But I'm not feeling this one with that huge hat either. Perhaps you should read Abby's hat post here

http://fashionista.com/2009/05/hats_on.php#comments

posted by darcykins

May 28, 2009 2:47PM

i enjoyed the 'mangina' comment as well.

and sorry nycshoegal, i usually enjoy your comments but if Rashomon and I tie the knot(which seems unlikely) I think it will be a small ceremony, no strangers from fashionista comment boards.

you can both keep your fingers crossed though.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 3:50PM

I think it's pretty clearly tongue in cheek. No guy is going to feel manlier saying "This tie? No, it's not fuschia, it's MANgenta." I mean, really.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 5:08PM

yeah, naming it mangenta only makes it gay-er.

posted by Megs252

May 28, 2009 5:12PM

It's like metrosexual a few years back - they have to take something they think is feminine and then insert a "manly" phrase into it to make it less "offending."

Not fooling anybody boys. I think it's so much sexier to just own it. Like "yeah I'm wearing pink. What of it?"

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 5:58PM

The color magenta has been around forever. What a pointless article.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 7:51PM

literally falling asleep reading articles like these.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 9:25PM

dear, magenta is an already existing color. magenta is the real name of hot pink.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 9:25PM

I second that, #3!!! I always say my fashion deal-breaker is that whole "fancy going-out" look (that isn't stylish or fancy at all) where guys wear a button-down striped shirt that also has screen-printing (untucked of course, to look modern), and then the pre-faded bootcut jeans. And quasi-dress shoes, cause this is fancy, remember.

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 9:56PM

"man"genta. What a passe faux pas. When people rename things, it just makes it look cheap and trivial. Like how people gave skin tight jeans the name 'skinny jeans', hooded sweaters 'hoodies', etc. What is it with people and wanting to make everything trailer trash? Why destroy the sancitity of objects' proper names????????? WHY?????? WHY I TELL YOU? GET ME SOME WEAVE GLUE.

posted by Abby Gardner

May 29, 2009 12:38AM

Just wanted to clarify to a few of the commenters that I'm well aware that magenta is a color. This post was about someone coining the term "MANgenta". That was the point of the WSJ article and something I found to be rather ridiculous.