Faculty of Design

Illustration

Ashlyn Mundy

Mauve or Malaria?

In 1856, chemist William Perkin created the first synthetic dye in the colour mauve while trying to create a malaria cure derived from tree bark. The malaria cure was a failure, however Perkin discovered the thick purple sludge that came from his creation was able to dye fabrics; it wouldn’t run from washing or fade from the sun. He named the dye “mauvine” or “mauve” and it became a huge fashion trend in the 1850’s.