Red Haute Alert

The autumn shades are often muted and earthy; surprisingly, at this time of the year ‘fiery red’ has taken over the fashion world and top brands like Valentino, Hermès, and Balmain are endorsing it as the ‘colour of the season’. Spotted on royalty like Kate Middleton and top models like Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski, who donned this vibrant hue from head-to-toe to make a glam statement, it’s hard to ignore the return of red in the dress circles.

From the runways of Milan to New York and Paris to gracing the troves of Indian couture, the dramatic shades of red are here to outshine everything else. Our top designers share their two cents on the unpredicted rise of red, and how to incorporate it in your wardrobe for Fall.  

Celeb Love

Following the red alert, reality and Instagram star Kylie Jenner unveiled a bold new look in the body-hugging red ensemble at the Acne Studios S/S 2024 show during Paris Fashion Week. Whereas, L'Oreal Paris ambassador Navya Naveli Nanda chose a ruffled off-shoulder red dress to make an unforgettable debut at the Paris runway show. Actors like Camila Mendes, Keke Palmer, Jenifer Lopez, Rita Ora, and Gemma Chan are some other celebs who have been spotted wearing this colour lately. Red is the season's must-have colour, and showbiz A-listers are demonstrating the versatility of fiery red, showcasing how it can be worn in various styles and silhouettes.

Undoubtedly, for Indian couture too fiery red is igniting trends, remarks renowned designer Anju Modi. She says, “This vibrant and powerful hue has taken centre stage on runways, red carpets, and our collection. Recently, Deepika Padukone turned heads at an award show in a breathtaking fiery red gown from our collection, and for fashionistas looking to infuse their Fall-Winter wardrobe with this hue consider these chic options. Red is a bold yet versatile colour that pairs beautifully with other hues and accessories; one can go for red monochromes, red and black, red and gold, red layering with neutrals, and red with a metallic shine to achieve stunning looks. Invest in red statement coats, dresses, knitwear, and red-on-red co-ords.”

Code Red

Just when Barbiecore pinks were about to bid goodbye, couturier Anjalee Kapoor of the label Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor, declares, “Red is the new pink.” She adds, “The majority of red looks arrived in shades with orange undertones, but some have leaned toward Taylor Swift 'Maroon' in deeper hues, as well as incorporated by brands like Tory Burch and Alejandra Alonso Rojas. Invest in fiery red statement pieces like a coat, blazer, or sweater — this bold colour can instantly elevate your entire outfit. A red handbag, scarf, or pair of shoes can add a pop of colour to neutral outfits, and pair fiery red with unexpected colours for a unique look. Go all in with a monochromatic fiery red outfit for an eye-catching ensemble. Just be sure to vary the shades and textures to add depth to the look. Combine different shades of red with other autumnal colours like deep burgundy, burnt orange, or rich brown for a warm and cozy Fall-inspired look.”

Winning Combo

Fiery red is a colour that exudes passion, intensity, and positive energy, and senior designer Gautam Gupta of the label Asha Gautam calls it a winning shade. He says, “I have a deep appreciation for reds in various forms, whether it’s a sharp pantsuit, a stylish skirt suit, or an elegant dress. The power and impact of these silhouettes, when combined with the intensity of fiery red, create a winning combination that beautifully represents strength and style. Jennifer Lopez, for instance, made waves on Instagram as she promoted her cocktail brand in a striking red asymmetrical dress, radiating confidence and glamour. Gemma Chan’s daring cut-out gown at Cannes and Lucy Hale’s red skirt suit for a Dior event are some excellent examples of styling the shade.”

Certainly, when opting for a fiery red outfit, it’s often wise to keep the accessories and complementary colours relatively simple and in harmony with the intensity of red. Gautam recommends, “The key is to let the fiery red piece be the focal point, allowing its intensity and vibrancy to stand out. Choosing accessories and complementary colours that enhance the overall look without overshadowing the red will result in a fashion-forward and eye-catching outfit. A mini fiery red dress can be elegantly paired with a sleek black or dark grey belt, matching earrings, strappy sandals, and a clutch. For a pantsuit in fiery red, consider adding a touch of sophistication with a metallic silver sling bag, black heels, and silver earrings for a modern look.”

Sparkling Touch

With the onset of autumn, red’s fiery comeback in the global fashion space is also being noticed in ornaments. Be it ruby red or lush crimson – this season, rich jewel tones of garnet are finding a resting place in couture-inspired jewellery, highlights Vivek Ramabhadran, CEO of designer jewellery label Aulerth. He points out, “The red-carpet stalwarts are not immune to this trend and celebrities are flaunting jewellery in hues of fiery red for all occasions. For instance, Dia Mirza looked spectacular in the crimson studs designed by Tribe Amrapali symbolizing sexy sophistication. Shilpa Shetty paired our Numisma earrings and rings designed by Shivan & Narresh with her scarlet sari and looked stunning. We have also observed, in the past few days, women are fancying statement jewellery doused in hues of bold red. Tone-on-tone is a great way to style a look. But to add an extra layer of glamour, one can always pick jewels in black and gold to accentuate a red outfit.”

INCREDIBLE  

• Famous folks wearing red include Kate Middleton, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Kylie Jenner, Deepika Padukone, Camila Mendes, Keke Palmer, Jenifer Lopez, Rita Ora, and Gemma Chan to name a few

• Big brands like Valentino, Hermès, and Balmain are endorsing ‘red’ as the colour of the season