A Shade of Fire Engine Red
And a nod to the 90s.
Every girl was required to wear it for our shows; deemed by our teachers as the perfect shade of red: Revlon’s “Certainly Red”—though I remember everyone referring to it as a fire truck or fire engine red because of its very bright hue.
It was my favorite part of the stage makeup (i.e. the only part I remotely liked), probably because my mom wore red lipstick often, and she was—and still is—my fashion icon.
I remember tea parties and Christmas parties where my mom would let me and my sister don the shade. I remember the way it made me feel: “grown up” and beautiful. And then I went through years of not wanting to touch the shade, which makes sense as there aren't that many teenagers/young adults that wear something that bright on their lips.
But I’ve returned to it and find myself reaching for it in moments where I need something more. Plus, it’s quintessentially French.
That’s perhaps why the red lipstick in Patou’s show during Haute Couture week last week has stuck with me.
The key to red lips could be simplicity for the rest of your ensemble. The red lips are statement enough that everything else you’re wearing should be neutral or minimal.
Think 90s minimalism (which is having a major moment, btw). 90s and red lips may be a perfect combination. Why? According to Cabmate, a moodboard/inspiration account, 90s fashion is “akin to a long list of adjectives, including understated, effortless, confident, minimal, cheeky, sophisticated, sensual, metropolitan, simple, chic, elegant, progressive and cool.” I think all of those adjectives describe red lips too.
Even as I’ve been working on a shoot for a company, I have drawn so much inspiration from Carolyn Bassett Kennedy’s style, especially her wedding (if that gives any indication as to what kind of shoot).
But back to the present day, the red lipstick adds something.
To call it sophistication or classic or “French” downplays its ability as a tool to completely change your look. You don’t even have to wear neutrals. Wes Gordon’s Resort 2024 collection shows that red adds a pop for black + white:
And goes with pretty much any color:
So simplicity wouldn’t have to mean neutrals. Simplicity could mean monochromatic, good lines, and a simple, pulled back hairstyle.
Perhaps it’s that red lipstick adds a persona. Just like a ballerina must wear bright lipstick—and bright makeup, for that matter—to be seen on the stage, red lipstick is a “to be seen” element in an outfit. A confident measure of style.