Valentine’s Day first became associated with romantic love during the time period of one of my favorite poets, Geoffrey Chaucer. It was at this time in the 14th century that the tradition of courtly love flourished. Nearly 400 years later in 18th-century England, courtly love evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other materialistically; flowers, candy, and greeting cards known as “valentines”. 

Now that you know how the term, “valentines” originated, you may be wondering why we associate love and Valentine’s Day with the color red? My curiosity helped me understand why the color red plays a pivotal role in our daily interactions like advertising, clothing, and emotions.

We’re all aware that red is the color of sexuality, and can stimulate deeper and more intimate passions in us, such as love and sex, but on a greater scale, the color red is the color of energy, passion, and action. As a matter of fact, the color red exudes a strong and powerful, masculine energy. Red is energizing because it excites the emotions and motivates us to take action. One aspect of the color red that I find captivating is that it signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities. It promotes ambition and determination as well. Red is also strong-willed and can give confidence to those who are shy or lacking in will power. Now, I’m not suggesting paint your bedroom walls red because being surrounded by too much red can cause you to become irritated, agitated, and angry. However, too little red in your life can cause you to become cautious, manipulative, and fearful. Lastly, in Eastern cultures such as China,  red is a symbol of good luck and in Indian culture, red symbolizes purity and is often used in wedding gowns.

After studying this psychological interpretation of the color red, I took more pride in my piece!

I designed and self-drafted this fun and flirty shift dress. The bodice is made of lace and the dress is paired with a detachable train. The bold red color makes this outfit more striking! Paired with black chunky heels, simple gold jewelry, natural makeup, and wispy curls – You’re ready for a fun night!

Of course my design is nothing without help from my amazing husband and photographer, as well as the beautiful actress & model, Iliana Rivera! Thank you both for capturing my design and helping me create another successful project!

Photography Courtesy of K. Crump: #iShotWithPanda

I enjoyed writing this post and if you enjoyed reading it, please like the post and comment if you would like to read more about color psychology!

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