By Daisy Zhou
Tiffany blue has existed for fewer than 200 years but has quickly become the most iconic shade on the colour wheel in documented human history. It was handpicked because of the popularity of turquoise gemstones in the 19th century, which came in a variety of vibrant shades of blue and green. The colour was also a favourite of Victorian brides; they gave their attendants dove-shaped brooches set with turquoise to commemorate their weddings. This detail that was not lost on Charles Lewis Tiffany, who founded the brand Tiffany & Co.
Over the decades, Tiffany blue's nicknames have been as flexible and versatile, yet timeless and classic, as the shade's single symbolism. The colour standards company Pantone officially titled the hue 1837 Blue instead of ’Tiffany Blue’, prominently paying homage to the founding year of the jewellery house. The respect for the brand's history is significant to the timelessness and foundational meaning of the brand itself, and that history is often commemorated with references to the turquoise box.
The iconic shade has also been labelled as ’robin's-egg blue’ and ’forget-me-not blue’. The symbolic meaning of the bird's soon-to-be hatchling and the flower's embodiment of passion and remembrance represents the sweetest love, and a romance not soon to be forgotten. The delicate colour has also been often associated with ’freshness’ and ’new beginnings‘.
Without any doubt, Tiffany blue and its cultural, social, and even political significance have been more prominent as a single hue than any other particular colour. The significance of the shade isn't simply in its global recognition, but is firmly rooted in its ability to represent the aspirations, dreams, and romantic moments of generations. In the cult-classic ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn elevated the name of the jeweller and the colour of Tiffany blue to new heights. She famously wore a black Givenchy dress and a pearl necklace in the opening scene, creating an instantly recognisable image (as seen on the left). Even when the shade of Tiffany blue is not centre stage, it still takes the spotlight, which speaks to its particularly profound ability to captivate.
Audrey Hepburn’s association with Tiffany & Co. and the colour Tiffany Blue actually started in "Roman Holiday", released in 1953. In the movie, Hepburn's character falls asleep on a bench outside of the Tiffany & Co. store in Rome. The store was closed at the time, but when the staff arrived in the morning, they found a line of people waiting to get in. This association with Audrey Hepburn and an iconic movie helped to popularise both the luxury jeweller and the shade of blue that it is synonymous with.
“[Charles Lewis] Tiffany has one thing in stock that you cannot buy of him for as much money as you may offer; he will only give it to you. And that is one of his boxes. The rule of the establishment is ironclad, never to allow a box bearing the name of the firm, to be taken out of the building except with an article which has been sold by them and for which they are responsible.”