The Tintex Girlc 1920

by Edward Francis Cole

Rationing was an essential part of life in the war years as households reused and repurposed what they had. Tintex, an Australian chemical business, responded to worldwide shortages of fabric dye during World War I by expanding its products to create a rainbow of colours. Then, in 1920, it became the first company to successfully formulate a cold-water dye. The advertising emblem of the ‘Tintex Girl’ — seen here in original form — changed over the years to reflect the latest fashion and styling trends. With dye stocked by every pharmacist, general merchant and haberdasher, the world became a little brighter once more.