The Red carpet. Recently, celebrity publications and news networks have been showing photographs of stars walking the fabled red carpet as they arrive at the annual Oscars to attend the ceremony.
These days, the phrase “Hollywood glitter and glamour” is virtually indistinguishable from a plush crimson stretch of carpeting. Despite this, the red carpet has a long and distinguished history that dates back to a time long before the invention of film.
The Red carpet- Fun fact
It could look like the red carpet goes on for miles and miles, but in reality, it’s usually not quite as long as the images make it look like it is. It would appear that the typical size of a red carpet is just 10 by 4 feet (about 3 by 1.2 metres).
Treatment worthy of the red carpet
The phrase “getting the red carpet treatment” refers to being treated like a VIP, yet the origin of this statement can’t be traced back to Hollywood at all.
In the 1900s, The New York Central Railroad began operating a luxurious passenger train. Called the 20th Century Limited that ran between New York and Chicago. The corporation rolled out a ruby-red carpet for the customers so that they would feel as though they were important.
The long and storied past of the iconic red carpet
It would appear that this carpet has a long and illustrious history. One that dates back to at least 458 BC. The ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus included a reference to a red carpet in the tragedy Agamemnon that he wrote. When King Agamemnon returned home from the battle with the Trojans, his wife prepared a “red road” for him to walk on. This was a special honor that was often reserved for the Greek gods. This was sufficient evidence for Agamemnon to get suspicious.
The glittering carpet and the levers of political power
In paintings from the Renaissance period, rulers are frequently depicted sitting on thrones that are placed upon red carpets. In the same way as the color
was, the color red was connected to royalty.
Even in more recent times, red carpets have maintained its relationship with power and politics. Lending a sense of pageantry and occasion to a variety of political events. When arriving at banquets or disembarking from flights, for instance. Heads of state and other dignitaries can find themselves walking across red carpets.
How the trend of red carpets and celebrity sightings got started
At award ceremonies such as the BAFTAs, the Met Gala Awards. And of course the Academy Awards, when photographers and film crews are vying for that all-important star shots. We anticipate seeing the red carpet stretched out. In this day and age, celebrities are treated like the new royalty.
During the heyday of Hollywood’s golden age. The only chance autograph hunters had of getting fortunate was to wait along the red carpet. In the hopes of getting the autographs of film sirens such as Joan Crawford and Grace Kelly. Ironically, back then, very few people were aware that the carpet was red. Since color photography was not as common as it is today.
A carnival of famous people?
The celebrity culture that is prevalent now may be traced back to the 1970s. When celebrity and gossip periodicals began to gain popularity. Now, large awards pay a lot of money to have their signs and product releases. Put on the red carpet at award shows and other posh fashion events. This is done in order to receive public relations exposure… When the images are published in the media the following day.
Some people believe that the phenomenon of walking on a red carpet has turned into something of a celebrity circus. The sarcastic mother-daughter team Joan and Melissa Rivers began providing their catty remarks… On fashion for E entertainment in the late 1990s. This was broadcast on E.
Chris the Carpet Cleaner of Scottsdale
Within a short amount of time, the walking-in procession became nearly as popular as the event itself. Everyone was interested in seeing the interaction that took place between the reporters and the performers. And they wanted to know the answer to the all-important question, “What are they wearing?”
Actresses started employing teams of stylists so they wouldn’t be embarrassed by their clothing choices. While fashion designers started paying stars to model their wares so they could serve as “brand ambassadors.”