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Written by Administrator
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 With Valentine’s Day approaching, I thought it only appropriate to discuss the one important aspect of Valentine’s fashion. Red. Red evokes emotion. Red is powerful, red is seductive, red is angry, red is hot. In Chinese symbolism, red is the color of good luck and success. Studies show that red can actually have a physical effect on your body increasing your rate of respiration and raising your blood pressure. No wonder the “Power Tie†is what it is. A man in a red tie commands respect. Physically.
Red is the quiet emissary. Never trendy, never the new black, never passé. No, red just sits back and let’s all of the other colors of the rainbow do its dirty work. Red is always timeless, classic and powerful. Red can be preppy, red can be conservative. Red can be alternative and red can be punk rock. Whatever the style, red is ever present.
Now red is political. I can think of three very upfront causes claiming red as their color guard. The Vagina Monologues. Red is helping women and men around the world become comfortable with the V-word. All of the women wear red to perform their monologues. Red has become a statement. The red now signifies what has turned into V-Day- a movement that has worked to stop violence against women and girls worldwide. RED.
Heart Disease. The American Heart Association has developed a campaign called “Go Red for Women†which is challenging 1 million women to stop heart disease in this country. This Go Red for Women campaign is gaining a lot of ground. There was a red dress show during Fashion Week in New York City. RED.
(RED) Campaign against AIDS in Africa. This campaign was spearheaded by Bono. If you buy a (RED) Product from the Gap, Motorola, Armani, Converse or Apple, 50% of the profits will go towards purchasing AIDS drugs for mothers and children in Africa. When you buy jeans or a phone, iPods or shoes- someone’s mother, father, daughter or son will live instead of die. As Bono so eloquently states- “It’s a different kind of fashion statementâ€. RED.
RED- what’s more powerful than a red Ferrari?
But you don’t have to be about a cause to wear red. Wearing red definitely means something. It is beyond a good look. Somewhere in the red-wearers psyche is a powerful, confident and risk taking diva. Regardless of whether the red is in the shoes, the dress, the lipstick or the tie- red is no doubt the most powerful statement a person can make. And with so many different shades from cardinal to sangria, scarlet, to fire engine- there is a red for you!
This Valentine’s Day- think long and hard about your red. Do you want to woo someone? Already in love? Either way, wear your red with caution. Red will always guarantee results.
If you are not completely prepared for red in its entirety for your Valentines Day vamp, there are a lot of things you can do to add the color. I have a great red flower pin that I put on when I want to spice things up a bit. Try a red scarf in your hair or around your neck. A red belt. Red jewelry, shoes or purse. The wonderful thing is that subtlety with scarlet is a great way to go.
Red is a compliment to most colors. Black, grey, blue, turquoise, yellow, orange even purple- a slight touch of red will show the world you have style and creativity.
As you prepare for your Valentine’s Day festivities and wish to dazzle your dish, think about our favorite Diva Ms. Monroe and let her inspire your fancy. I was walking by Blitz in Edwards the other day and saw an amazing Monroe style dress hanging there waiting to be brought to life. It is a fun sexy dress that can make your night swing.
Most stores around town don’t really carry the party style outfits that will make your Valentines Day spectacular. One place to head without a doubt is Holy Toledo. This is a great place to visit regardless of whether it is Valentine’s Day or not. The great thing about Holy Toledo is that they are very color coordinated. I personally love second hand shopping, but that is a column for another day. Holy Toledo in Minturn will have something great whether it is an accessory or a whole outfit- and you will pay far below retail.
Of course you can go online! A few great stops to check out for the red dress party wear- wetseal.com. This is a great site for trendy fashion. Not the best quality, but definitely great prices. And with trends- who really needs the clothes to last more than a season? At $21.50- you can get yourself a perfectly Marilyn style dress. Check out the belted poplin dress- red with white polka dots. This site has a number of red dresses, and once you go, you may become a convert. Peruse for some general fashion updates.
 One of my truly all time favorite places to shop online is bluefly.com. This site brings you designer labels at discounted pricing. With everything from BCBG to Prada, any fashionista will appreciate the offerings here. The great thing about this site is how it is organized. You can shop by designer, category or color. Of course the RED dress category is full of beautiful options from designers like Vera Wang, A.B.S and Nicole Miller, and the red rainbow is complete. There is definitely a red in this bunch for you!
Red. This color that is steeped in history is one that we should admire. Revere. Respect. Red will make you stand out, set you apart and prove that you have what it takes. As cupid’s arrow takes aim at your heart this Valentine’s season, be prepared to fall in love. Not necessarily with another person, but definitely with the color of love- Red. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Fashion Beauty 
