Hello Pomponnette,

Do you like red - and not just wine -? We're going to tell you everything - that we know! - about red, that passionate red, and you'll see, it's passion-ating!

Weddings: white on red, nothing moves!

If we play Pyramide together and we say "wedding," you say "white," right? Well, in the Middle Ages, in France, people would certainly have said "red"! - We would have lost too! -

You might already know this, but for us, it was a discovery: before, most women got married in red! These were peasant women of modest means - so most women at that time -, who couldn't afford a beautiful dress for their wedding.

They therefore had to choose the best one from their wardrobe for the big day. And often, the prettiest ones were... red! - and you're probably wondering why, aren't you? - Quite simply because madder - a plant whose roots were used as a natural red dye - was one of the most resistant dyes, so naturally, the most elegant - and best-preserved... - dress in the closet was a red dress!

It wasn't until the 19th century that white dresses became popular for brides.

Dressed to the nines 

In the second part of Pyramide, if we say "Louboutin," do you say "red"? Then you win - phew! - But where does that famous red sole come from?

During a meeting with his team in 1993 - we weren't there, but we got the info in our earpiece... - Christian took his assistant's Chanel red nail polish and... he painted the sole of one of his pumps - and we're sure everyone smiled at that moment! -.

He enhanced the femininity of his shoe with its stiletto heel and incredible arch, but its trademark was indeed born thanks to makeup! He has since released his collection of nail polishes that evoke a stiletto heel - and there, it's not like the chicken or the egg, we know which came first! -.

A second Christian - Mr. Dior - took hold of red during one of his fashion shows, at the much-anticipated moment... of the wedding dresses! And there, you understand why, don't you? - Otherwise, you can reread the first paragraph, staying focused ;) ! -

For Valentino, - his name isn't Cristiano, no... - his passion for red arrived during a theater outing where he only had eyes for a woman wearing a red velvet dress - no need to ask him for a summary of the play! -.

He was fascinated by Hollywood heroines, cinema, its red seats... and he wanted to dress all his clients in beautiful "fiery red" dresses, as he called them. He created his first in 1959, and even a special one for Jackie Kennedy!

Red crazy about makeup 

Last round of Pyramide: if we say "blush," do you say "pink"? And there, you've lost again... - we think we've won the game! If you got a perfect score, tell us in the comments -.

In the Middle Ages, from the 16th century onwards, blush had to be red and applied very high near the eyelid to revive the sparkle in the eyes. Women were told to "paint themselves like carriage wheels" - much chicer than the stolen car! -.

It was the top-selling makeup of the time, with 2 million pots of carmine red - or Briançon chalk - sold in 1780 in France.

Red appeared on lips in the 17th century with the fashion for fair skin and very red lips, which also reminds us of the beauty codes of geishas. - If we had said "lips" there, you would have said "red", but that would have been too easy! -

But it was especially after the Second World War, when women rediscovered their femininity, that Dior decided to "dress women's smiles" with his lipsticks, which he launched in 1953.

It was at this time that René Gruau became known, creating the famous "Rouge baiser" lithograph campaign - yes, you know it, when you see it you'll say: oh, of course! -.

Even though today it comes in several shades, it retains its name of "red" lipstick.

Well, Pomponnette, you know everything - that we know! - tomorrow morning around the coffee machine, we can already see you telling all this to your colleagues - we always need jam for breakfast, and you know what they say about culture! -.

If you have other anecdotes to tell us to enrich this article, we're all ears and can't wait to read your comments - in addition to your Pyramide score - :)

Let's spread the Smile Power,

Agathe & Charline

Sources: Conference "Focus on Colour: 'The iconic colours of Beauty'" at the Make up in Paris 2019 show