Red also carries with it a long, rich history. It’s a color for victory, wealth, resistance, and power, worn by everyone throughout history, almost always to make a statement — from nobility and royalty to executives and politicians. In the arts, red has always been a powerful tool used to draw the attention of the viewer as it’s one of the first colors our eyes are pre-programmed to notice. That’s why, perhaps, it wields such a huge influence — especially in fashion. 

I won’t go into detail about just how many designers have, throughout the decades, featured red in their collections. The truth is: They’re just too damn many. I want to, however, talk about the present — our recent obsession with this seductive primary, which started gaining huge momentum last year. So, what’s the status of the trend in 2024? Before you ask, no, red isn’t out — yet. It’s continuing to enjoy a long, drawn-out moment in the limelight. From raging blood-like reds and full-wine burgundies to orange-tinged tomato hues, designers are still embedding pops of this striking color in their lineups. 

I saw it shining brightly on the fall runways in Copenhagen earlier this year. At Gestuz, for example, several models strode down the runway clad in fiery reds — right down to their gloves and heels. Red was also abundant off the runway, with several street stylers wearing bright shades outside of shows. When warm-weather season rolled around and pre-fashion-week outfit-planning hit its zenith, I, too, decided to give the color a whirl with this arresting set from Georgian designer Lado Bokuchava. 

If you read this blog, you’ve probably already heard me wax poetic about Lado — one of my favorite creatives to hail from my home country. Last year, while touring the brand’s showroom during Paris Fashion Week, I was stopped dead in my tracks by this very outfit. With a neckline that sits perfectly along the shoulder bone and pressed rosettes adorning the fitted silhouette, this denim top was an absolute showstopper. “There are lots of roses in fashion right now,” Lado told me at the time, explaining how he bleached his roses to give the garment a rebellious edge.

In short, the minute I was able to purchase this piece — and the matching skirt — I sprung into action. “Add to cart” was never an easier decision. Next step? Finding the right accessories to support the outfit without taking too much away from the drama. To me, this meant sharpening the look’s delicate edges even more with a statement-making bag from Tbilisi-based brand Reverie. What better way to counteract the coquettish charm of rosettes than with ink-black leather and metal hardware? 

The punk-infused bag’s leather canvas is a jumbled artwork of giant safety pins, septum rings, keychains, and lobster-claw clasps. It looks beautifully chaotic — and aesthetically very much in line with creative directors’ Ana Javakhadze and Lika Tkhinvaleli’s dark, smoky femininity. “It was one of those spontaneous moments where inspiration just struck,” the brand’s representatives told me in an email about the making of the bag. “One of our designers envisioned it suddenly and sketched it out immediately — no elaborate backstory, just a spark of creativity that came to life!” 

To finish everything off, I paired the look with a silver choker and spiky earrings from French designer Justine Clenquet. Oh, and of course, I would be remiss not to mention the sunglasses by Georgian designer George Keburia. Boasting an exaggerated, upturned cat-eye silhouette, these black shades matched the outfit’s bold spirit while forming a throughline with the black leather bag, heels, and belt. Want to recreate the look? Find out where to shop each item in this outfit by clicking on the pieces below.