Dame Barbara Cartland
Pink was Dame Barbara Cartland’s favourite colour. Together with her animated look of flamboyant outfits, oversized jewellery, big wigs and ostrich feathers, it became her signature look in later life. Known for her garish taste, Cartland was one of the first clients of fashion designer to the royals, Norman Hartnell, remaining a loyal customer until he died in 1979. Best known for her romantic novels, Cartland was recognised for her vivid and descriptive prose. Her hallmark was the innocent virgin and eternal happy ending where love triumphed over evil. Several of her novels were adapted into films for television including A Hazard of Hearts, A Ghost in Monte Carlo and Duel of Hearts. Born in Edgbaston in July 1901 to a well-heeled family, she was the only daughter of her parents. In her late teens, her grandfather and her father both died, leaving her mother to bring up Barbara and her two older brothers in challenging circumstances. She subsequently moved them all to London wh...