The first mention of a red carpet was in 458 BC in Agamemnon — a play about Troy. Upon returning home, the character is greeted by a red silk path to walk upon upon: Carpet his way with crimson tapestries. Although there is no direct reference to what inspired such prose, it planted the idea that a crimson path had prestige. As the years went by, red carpets and red rugs were frequently used by rulers and sacred figures, especially on the ceremonial steps to their throne. This significance of red carpet only symbolising rule lasted for thousands of years.
But everything changed in 1902, when the New York Central Railroad used crimson carpets to direct everyday passengers onto their 20th Century Limited train. It no longer represented a different class.
It was for those who deserved a specialised hospitality, it what became known as: the red-carpet treatment.
The popularity of this initiative did not go unnoticed by the Hollywood studios of the time, who saw this has an opportunity to offer the same for their movie stars. To elevate them in front of the expectant audience, with their own red-carpet treatment. Consequently, when a crimson-hued carpet was rolled out for Robin Hood, the first ever Hollywood premiere in 1922, it visually established a new meaning for what a red carpet truly represents. These premieres extended globally, culminating in the red carpet being unveiled at the Oscars for the first time in 1961. A game-changing moment. There was no turning back. Hollywood had projected the glamour of a red carpet to the world, one that endures to this day.
Many of the creatives who parade the red carpet, especially for the first time, are overcome with a sense of accomplishment. It makes one feel as if all the sacrifices were worth it. That all those rejections one had endured, had been worth it too. Their drive to succeed had propelled them to the red carpet. There will of course be future rejections; it is the nature of the creative journey. But it does not change that initial feeling.
Being on the red carpet reaffirms to them that rejections make the accomplishments even more rewarding.
And yet, all that has happened is that they have gazed down and beheld a path extending underneath them into a blur of red fabric. A piece of carpet has transformed their entire rejection perspective. In the blinding light of flash photography, hands clamouring to touch them, and strangers hailing their name, they are caught in a moment of emotional reassurance that dreams can be achieved.
For those standing on the side lines in person, or watching from afar on television, their gaze of aura falls upon those parading down the red carpet. They are not rulers or sacred figures, as had been the case when it had been used hundreds of years earlier. Now, they symbolised something else – creatives who have survived rejection to achieve their dreams. All manner of creatives are invited; actors, filmmakers, authors, musicians, models, and athletes.
None of those being gazed upon arrived on that red carpet with ease.
They all endured rejection emails, endless failed auditions, and rejected applications.
At times the red carpet may as well have been on the moon. Something beyond human sight. A myth, that anyone could stand there. But anyone can. All it takes is a relentless drive to not allow setbacks to crush them.
To accept that rejection is just part of their creative journey.
That if they keep finding a way to persevere, the red carpet can become a frequent friend.
That is what it symbolises today: a stretch of crimson fabric to separate those that have found a way to overcome rejection to achieve a significant creative endeavour, and those aspiring to join them. A gaze of crimson to blur the darkness of rejection.