Red Statement
She doesn't care; she paints the town red. You can call her a rebel or a devil in a dress. She always wears that red matte lipstick—only for special occasions and for special people. She looks just like a dream, a red velvet cake topped with shiny cream. She resembles a cherry that you usually put on top of the cupcake and then devour in one bite. A candy wrapper unpacked in a hurry. She is easy to spot and hard to forget. Provoking, seducing, and capturing, she commands attention. She begins with power and ends with love, starts with passion, and ceases to danger.
Have you ever heard of the red dress effect? It refers to the chain of chemical reactions occurring in an animal's brain while spotting the color red. Interestingly, many beings have adapted to that effect in their own unique way. For example, some animals evolved to make their skin red during the mating season, while flowers are red to attract the largest number of bees and birds. Even among humans, red is the first color that our brains and eyes are programmed to spot.
However, red has never been just about color. Even though it is quite practically and literally one, we often refer to it as a statement, a bold one, asking for action. Red is perhaps one of those things that was created from the beginning, not just for the sake of existing but for the sake of being. Whether as a mood, fashion, or even a gesture, it entails many meanings and never withholds its position. Standing steady, this color always comes back, sometimes as lipstick, a pair of tinted lenses, or fancy sneakers. Red has been woven into the very fabric of not only fashion but history.
Gianni Versace 1991 Collection/ via @vintagefashion
Being around for much longer than one may imply, red was first used by ancient civilizations as a symbol of status, power, and wealth. In those times, only the crème-de-la-crème could afford the red garments in their wardrobe. The creation of red dyes was truly a painful process involving bizarre ingredients such as the kermes insect in ancient Rome or the cochineal beetle in Mesoamerica. Surely, not easily accessible, these dyes made the red color a literal golden synonym. The Renaissance also reinforced the prosperous nature of red, bringing a variety of reddish silk and velvet. Then, another huge event—the French Revolution—occurred on the scene, bringing back the legendary roots of red and giving it the new title of the color of freedom. Adopted by the revolutionaries as a symbol of the blood of the martyrs and their struggle against oppression, red showed its other side, a less luxurious and more fatal one. Continuing the established tradition, red became a symbolic color for the Roaring 20s, once again showing its freedom-loving nature.
In modern days, far away from royals and suffragettes, red has become the ultimate showstopper. Think of Valentino's signature red gowns, the dramatic red dress worn by Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman," or the bold red soles of a Louboutin heel. Indeed, the revolution did occur long ago, but red has never lost its touch.
These days, many brands implement red in their collections, adding a unique touch to them. For example, the legendary cardinal red is used by Balenciaga in their iconic bag designs, among which is the City leather handbag. The Balenciaga Classic City Bag, introduced in 2001, quickly became a fashion icon and one of the brand's most recognizable pieces. Even today, many fashionistas are taking part in the race to get an exclusive piece, which ages just like wine and costs even more as time passes. Notably, you can easily find some of the most desired Balenciaga pieces in reddish tones. Additionally, let's not forget about the Balenciaga Baguette bag (giving lots of credit to Fendi). This year, baguette-style bags are all around, escaping the walls of fashion houses and moving into the mass-market and fast-fashion shelves. And indeed, the most hunted color this year is red.
Finally, it’s impossible to discuss this trend without addressing one more key player. Adidas Samba shoes. Yes, it was a sensation that caught everyone’s attention. A piece one we couldn't ignore and might even regret. The juiciest and tastiest of them all was (drum roll)—red. The red version of Samba was particularly eye-catching, adding to the retro style of the classy 1950s Samba design. It unquestionably cemented its place in the fashion alley and undoubtedly remains one of the most forceful trends of 2024.
Moving from its ancient roots of richness and royalty, straight for the revolution, red is now the symbol of hype, scandal, and seduction in modern days. A bunch of famous brands, such as Supreme or Valentino, and even some who are far away from the fashion field, like Netflix and Marlboro, went for red—and they did not miss. The Red Statement—one and unique, just like the Red Dress Effect—is always here, arousing the allure of the red color and bringing forth all of its essence. In the modern realm, red isn't just a color—it's an intense cultural force, inspiring, moving, and provoking. So, add bits of red to your next outfit, and be ready to make your statement—bold, wild, or passionate and loving. Choose wisely, choose the red.
