BY MARLENE NAICKER

ADD ONE ROMAN FESTIVAL CALLED LUPERCALIA, ONE

SMALL CHERUB CALLED VALENTINE, ONE SMIDGEN OF

THE SHADE RED AND MODERN HISTORY IS REDEFINED !

VALENTINE ‘S DAY ! PERSONIFIED BY THE COLOUR RED.Blushing Reds

The Valentine’s Special

RED HISTORYOur blushing red is not just a perennial fashion favourite, it is a colour that has captivated the imagination and attention of the beholder for centuries.

A symbol of power, success and passion, worn by mon-archs and the privileged – no colour screams ‘I am here’ like the colour Red.

From the 1800s when soldiers dressed in red to intimidate and gain advantage on their enemies on the war field, to Duke John arriving in Paris in a red velvet suit lined with grey fur, worked over with gold foliage, resonating victory and power, to king Louis XIV who deemed red-heeled shoes as a symbol of the monarchy and only to be worn by nobility.

A colour, unabashedly still holding its head high in arro-gance today: Think of modern version of power dressing: from hurrying Wall Street executives in red ties and red sus-penders, to the likes of Hillary Clinton with red power suits, red nails, red lips and red shoes. The magnetic appeal of one colour that can eclipse all else and transform a person or an object instantly.

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VALENTINOIn fashion, we have been blessed with icons who over the years had the hindsight to use the symbolism of the colour to create fashion statements that have stood the test of time and turned simple basics into legends. No one personified that better than Valentino (Garavani). Inspired by an opera in Barcelona, where as a teenager perched from the balcony, he sat looking down into the opera floor, marvelling at how women seated themselves in all their couture glory “looking like baskets of red flowers.”

The trademark Poppy Red was first born in his 1950s Fiesta Cocktail Dress and became a pillar of his collections: 100% magenta, 100% yellow and 10% black – voluptuous and alive.

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CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTINChristian Louboutin, at the tender age of 16, uninterested in bubbly or loud music, would sneak into Parisian nightclubs and appear at the Folies Bergere music hall with shoe etchings for the burlesque showgirls. Ten inch stilettos with platform detailing that extended the wearers legs – making her feel sensual, beautiful and powerful.

In 1992, on a quiet morning at his showroom atelier in Paris, peering at another shoe designed for one of his discerning clientele, he realised it lacked soul. What happened next would define Louboutin and catapult his name into the frontline of the fashion world. He took red nail varnish from his assistant who was painting her nails, and painted the sole of the shoe with it, giving birth to his signature Christian Louboutin red sole.

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COCO CHANELFashion rewind back to 2800 BC, Sumeria (a region in ancient Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq). A gold box with a paste of red powder is found in the tomb of a princess. For centuries thereafter, from Cleopatra to other Mesopotamian princesses, the red hue has been part of the make-up retinue. Red lipstick – like shoes and dresses – is striking, powerful, defiant and independent – transcending the wearer from simple to simply fabulous.

In 1954 Coco Chanel created the vintage hue that would become known as Chanel Red. Satiny, creamy and long-lasting, as Coco Chanel once said: “If you’re sad or heartbroken, just put on a red lipstick and attack.”

And so our love affair with Chanel Coco Rouge no 14, just like her sister Le Vernis Rouge Carat 587, remains in our hearts.

SPRING INTOTHE SHADEIt is only natural that the undying Red so rich in versatility and endurance, over time and space evolves into other varying shades of warmth.

This Spring/Summer 2012 sees this evolution, with the colour red gently weaving its presence into pantones colour of the year: Tangerine Tango.

Shoes, cocktail dresses and handbags – the colour is vibrant and full of sensual energy.

This February when cupids arrow strikes, make sure you’re seen in the colour of the season.

Marlene Naicker - Founder/Creative Director Muldooneys. The brand Muldooneys is renowned for its luxury, discerning leather accessories – notably handbags – designed for the sophisticated, independent and fashion

conscious woman. www.muldooneys.com. www.facebook.com/Muldooneys

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