Style Du Monde: The Red Dress

Colors bear their own code of associations, conjuring certain perceptions in our mind and eliciting physiological and emotional responses. One might argue that our interaction with colors is akin to the masterful strokes of a poet’s pen—conveying emotions, sensations, and ideas that dwell deep within the subconscious realm.

RED

“There is a shade of red for every woman.”
— Audrey Hepburn

Following our exploration of the layered symbolism of blue and the timeless elegance of black, we now turn our gaze to the daringly enchanting realm of red. Distinct from the essential little black dress, as immortalized by Coco Chanel, the red dress transcends mere necessity to become a statement of privilege. Donning red is a deliberate choice, a bold declaration for those who desire to captivate and command attention.

In this article, we celebrate the power and allure of red as exemplified by Argent’s mesmerizing dame en rouge, Mila Belcheva. Here are our top picks, each a striking statement, all draped in the fiery hues of red.

DANGER AHEAD: PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Red is a primal color that speaks to our collective consciousness and seizes our attention like no other. From the commanding STOP of traffic signs to the red tape delineating what’s allowed and what’s not, red operates at the intersection of safety and peril, a visual alarm for caution and alertness against hidden dangers.

In film and television, red’s role as an omen of danger is a recurrent motif. Consider the iconic Red Curtain from David Lynch and Mark Frost’s “Twin Peaks,” a 1990s cult classic (that made a triumphant return in 2017). The Red Curtain serves as a gateway to the supernatural world, a parallel, non-linear space both alien and intimately intertwined with our human reality. Stepping beyond the Red Curtain means venturing into dangerously uncharted territory and possibly into one’s own peril. The haunting question that concluded the original series—”Where is Annie?”—is not just a cliffhanger but a reminder: crossing the red threshold can lead one into a labyrinthine abyss with no return, a metaphor for the irreversible consequences of venturing too far into the unknown.

SEDUCTION AND TEMPTATION: THE RED SPELL

[…] for her men go mad:
The Archbishop of Toledo
Kneels at her feet to say Mass;
And gleams, through the pallor,
A mouth with a conquering smile;
Red chili, a scarlet flower,
Hearts’-blood gives it fire.

Red blends the thrill of danger with the pull of passion, creating an intoxicating blend that taps into our primal instincts. A fusion of blood and fire, the most feminine of colors mesmerizes and arrests the senses, emboldening action and fuelling an uncontrolled desire to flirt with danger. The red dress, in particular, stands as a powerful metaphor for the magnetic pull of passion and the lurking shadow of potential downfall. It’s a flamenco dance of fashion, fiery and seductive. Its epitome can be found in Carmen, the tempestuous heroine who has captivated artists from Prosper Mérimée to Bizet, Carlos Saura, and Théophile Gautier’s poem, cited here.

In this verse, even the morally upright, like the Archbishop of Toledo, fall under Carmen’s spell. But then again, when it comes to temptation, the Devil rarely arrives with horns and a foul odor. Instead, he selects one of his most seductive agents. Carmen, with her enthralling charm, lures men and drives them to the extremes of passion, along with the destructive undercurrents of jealousy. In this context, her character highlights the red dress’s power to stir uncontrolled desire and incite profound emotional turmoil.

VITALITY AND VIGOR

Red is tied to masculine energy, which explains its powerful effect on the senses.

This association can be traced back to various cultural beliefs. Ancient Romans linked red with the god of war, Mars, representing physical power, bravery, and the potency of masculine energy. In Eastern philosophy, red represents the root chakra, Muladhara, which translates from Sanskrit as the root of existence. Located at the base of the spine, the root chakra represents the foundation of human power, controlling one’s physical vitality and zest for life. Wearing red, therefore, rekindles one’s physical life force, amplifying one’s vigor, stamina, and spontaneity.

The study of Feng Shui, too, aligns red with life’s energy, imbuing it with connotations of self-confidence, courage, and success. Red is believed to attract positive energy or “chi” into the home, functioning as a magnet for prosperity. This brings me to the next significant property of this color.

AMPLIFIED PROTECTION AND MAGICAL POWERS

Beyond its embodiment of vitality and vigor, red also holds an array of protective qualities and magical powers across cultures.

In both Western and Eastern cultures, red is steeped in beliefs of protection, good fortune, and the augmentation of magical abilities, whether for benevolent or malevolent ends. Globally, the practice of wearing a red thread around the wrist as a talisman against the evil eye is widespread (as a proud South Slavic sorcerer myself, I confess to rarely parting with my own red bracelet). This tradition is likely rooted in Kabbalistic Judaism, where the red thread is wrapped around Rachel’s tomb to charge it with protective energies.

The Maasai warriors of East Africa, renowned for their valor, don red attire as a symbol of their role as tribal protectors and as a shield against malevolent forces. In India, the red ‘bindi’ on a woman’s forehead is not only a mark of marital status but also a charm for luck and prosperity. In Chinese culture, red is synonymous with happiness, success, and good fortune, as evidenced by the tradition of gifting red envelopes filled with money during Lunar New Year celebrations.

Turning to the world of fantasy, let’s hear it for Lady Melisandre, the enigmatic Red Woman from George Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. A devoted servant of the Red God, Melisandre is invariably cloaked in red, a hue associated with the arcane forces that govern the world of fantasy. Melisandre’s ruby necklace, far more than ordinary adornment, holds the key to her impressive powers, which include birthing shadow assassins, reviving diseased heroes, and conjuring barriers of fire to ward off armies of the undead.

Scarlet, ruby, rose, burgundy, auburn… The spectrum of red is as vibrant as the personalities it encompasses. As Audrey Hepburn, an icon of style and grace, once remarked, a shade of red exists for every woman out there.

Have you discovered yours yet?

[Published originally in the 2020 Summer Medley issue of Argent Publications.]