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Because the red carpet is red: the story of a symbol that became fashionable 60 years ago

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More than one believes that the Oscars are the worst thing on the red carpet. That level. And it’s deserved: the carpet was invented first, in fact it is around 2,500 years old. But the known one, the red one, the one that matters to us, the real magic carpet, symbol of glamor and prestigethat flagship carpet became fashionable in 1964, 60 years ago, during the most famous awards ceremony in the world.

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For decades, “the most incredible misadventures on the red carpet”, “the best and worst dressed”, “who wore red on the red carpet”, “the much discussed cloak with feminist embroidery of Natalie Portman on the red carpet”, “the extravagant look of Billie Eilishthe anti-diva of the Oscars.” And the films? Well, thanks

The Oscars were first televised in 1953. Fred Astaire was one of the hosts: “The Oscars are something people want and fight for and cry for, and the competition never ends until you finally get it recognition,” he said with Balkan enthusiasm.

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Marilyn Monroe She premiered the first TV carpet in a torn dress that had a cut down the side. Marilyn has never been a nominee, although she has won a Golden Globe One Eve and two AdamFrom Billy Wilder.

On the day of the textile problem, crying, she begged the organizers not to go on stage, but everything was resolved when the official Oscar dressmaker attacked the center of interest of the blonde weakness, and finally there was golden thread and a speech.

Passion red

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell, on the red carpet at the 2024 Oscars. Photo: Reuters
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell, on the red carpet at the 2024 Oscars. Photo: Reuters

The red carpet is red because, among other meanings, that too has been studied red is synonymous with strong emotions. It is usually associated with passion, excitement, energy, action. In psychology it is believed that red is a powerful color that symbolizes power. Furthermore, red is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of love.

As time passed, the carpet’s blessed color became a magnet for ostentation. The United States began the carpet tradition in the 1920s. In other words, the red carpet celebrates 100 uninterrupted years of glamour.

They were the first to impose this custom of receiving authorities from different states of the world. The trick was to stretch it between the limo and the White House.

The longest red carpet in the world measures 6,358 meters and was used on the streets of the city of Almería, Spain. Guinness. But the first reference to the topic appears in the play Agamemnonwritten by Aeschylus in 458 BC C. The main character, Agamemnon, returns from Troy and is received by his resentful wife, Clytemnestra, who offers him a (red) corridor to walk down.

Doormat and related researchers, however, agree that the “red carpet treatment” dates back to the railroad when, in 1902, the New York Central Railroad installed crimson red cloth in the direction of the cars. Subsequently this method was refined, giving rise to the concept globally known as VIP.

Billy Joel and his family, on the red carpet of the 66th edition of the Grammy Awards 2024. Photo: EFE
Billy Joel and his family, on the red carpet of the 66th edition of the Grammy Awards 2024. Photo: EFE

The visibility that the Oscars give

The Hollywood Academy Awards began being awarded in 1929, when the burgeoning industry decided to reward “excellence in motion picture achievement.” The red carpet of this specific event was not known until 1961, although its extraordinary existence only became known in 1964, when television broadcasts began to cover what would later be known as the “backroom.”

That thing that covered part of the floor had become the most requested catwalk in the fashion universe.

The carpet from the other day, where Margot Robbie knew how to wave, was made of a high-quality polyester fabric, durable enough to withstand the passing of the stars.

Before the Oscars turned it into an event in its own right, the red carpet had a precedent in the world of entertainment: the Hollywood gala of the 1920s, the premiere of Robin Hood, a film starring Douglas Fairbanks. Place? Egyptian Theatre. Year? 1922.

With color TV in 1966, the red carpet criterion was redefined on another scale. Chanel, Christian Dior, Versace, Gucci, Jean Paul Gaultier and Balenciaga kept an eye on there forever.

The phenomenon spread. Today we have a red carpet at the Gardel Awards. The famous one, the one with the Oscar, measures a block and a half: exactly 150 meters long by ten meters wide. Specialists say it is “sewn in one piece” and that a truck is needed to transport it. Added to this is a small army of operators to deploy it.

Even in Argentina.  L-Gante and Wanda Nara, on the red carpet of the Gardel Awards.  Photo: MovilpressEven in Argentina. L-Gante and Wanda Nara, on the red carpet of the Gardel Awards. Photo: Movilpress

Titanic, the film we all already know, won 11 Oscars, the most important of which were Best Film and Best Director. Gloria Stuart, who had twilight recognition growing up for her role as Rose, will also be remembered for walking the red carpet with a diamond necklace worth $20 million.

In 2014, Cate Blanchett walked across a tense red carpet when she refused to be scanned by a camera from head to toe. There was talk of “objectification” and sexist attitudes. Her sentence went viral: “Do you do it with boys too?”.

At a certain point it happened that mites became the main enemies of carpets. When we talk about a carpet we are talking about 200 thousand bacteria per square meter. Except for the red one, all other carpets have gone out of fashion. Dust, pet hair and remnants of what we step on with your shoes.

It is known that Woody Allen has always had the habit of not attending ceremonies involving award ceremonies. They say he is phobic, but no half-truth has ever been told: in addition to being allergic to mosquito bites, cat hair, wet grass, talcum powder and Saigon cinnamon, he would be allergic to… Yes, you guessed it.

Source: Clarin

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