In 2023 we decided to rebrand the organisation to update the PAA logo and change the name to be more inclusive with the merging of the Pilates Alliance of Australasia and the Australian Pilates Method Association.
We discussed colour options for the PAA logo with the graphic designer and he was keen on using purple.
Purple is an interesting colour as it was originally made from a mollusc which made it rare and expensive which is why it was favoured by royalty. Because it’s not common in nature, purple can also be exotic and mysterious.
Purple is a combination of red’s energy and blue’s stability and is therefore considered to represent wisdom and spirituality in colour psychology.
We wanted to use white but needed another colour.
We discussed red.
Since red is the colour of blood, it has historically been associated with sacrifice, danger, and courage. Modern surveys in Europe and the United States show red is also the colour most commonly associated with heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love, and joy.
As an aside, a study in the journal Nature found that soccer teams wearing predominantly red shirts achieved better match results than teams wearing other colours.
Would red and purple work well together on the PAA logo?
Purple can have a calming effect but can also be stimulating for the mind. It can create a sense of balance and peace, and can be associated with creativity, imagination, luxury, royalty, magic, and otherworldliness. Purple can also help reduce anxiety, slow the heart rate, and regulate breathing.
Red is a warm, bold colour that can stimulate energy and happiness. It can also excite and energise the body.
The consensus is that red and purple can work well together. They are both vibrant colours that can create a bold and striking combination. When paired, they can evoke a sense of energy and creativity.
I was excited about this as I had a childhood memory of receiving a poster book of futuristic fashions as a Christmas gift when I was around 13. There was always one design that stuck in my mind, and that was a purple and red dress.
This week, I was cleaning out a cupboard and I could not believe that I found the page from the book.
I couldn’t quite believe that I have kept the page all these years, including moving between three states. Obviously, it made a big impression on me as a teenager, so after a little photo restoration, you too can enjoy this amazing creation that has stayed in my mind for close to 50 years.
Robyn Rix
PAA President
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