Who said that Blue cannot become the Colour of Love?

It’s the beginning of the week of love. For me it was the beginning of an exceptional adventure. But still, I cannot really ignore the celebration that is yet to come. I can actually already feel the positive vibes sent by all my friends who have recently, and not that recently, fallen in love… I can notice the spark of curiosity in their eyes anticipating to unveil with what their loved ones will surprise them.

Quite frankly, I’ve never really been a huge fan of the day as rather than marking the highest point in my relationships it has somehow turned into the breaking one. The day that marked the beginning of the end rather than served to fortify my love.

But then again, behind the lovely flowers, gourmet chocolates, and charming valentine’s cards a real life story is hidden. A story pointing out to the true meaning of love and accentuating that the feeling is actually priceless. Love cannot be equated to heart-shaped items or rich red bouquets. No. Its experience is way too subjective to even consider estimating its value.

The corporate world, which we inhibit, has, of course, done precisely that, depreciating love to such an extent to which it could be exchanged with a nicely tied with a satin ribbon Belgian chocolate box. Valentine’s day has thus become the epitome of our commercialised and detached society; it has been turned into the ultimate trophy of globalisation.

But behind all the glitter and mass-produced love souvenirs a real life story is hidden. Valentine was the person who enabled people to celebrate their love at a time when marriage was forbidden based on the very understanding that soldiers performed better when single. His rebellion resulted in his three-part cruel execution that consisted of beating, stoning, and finally beheading.  And while Valentine did his best to allow people to acclaim their love, he never really got the chance to fully experience his own. When in prison, he prayed and healed the blind daughter of his judge. The day before the execution, he sent her a touching love letter signing it with the short, "from your Valentine". No need to wonder any longer why exchanging love notes has become the ultimate manifestation of love.

However, rather than racking my brain to come up with an original present for Valentine’s Day, the story inspired me in a completely different manner. It reminded me that love means to resist the ordinary, to be yourself with someone who actually loves you just the way you are. Love is so subjective that I really find it hard to believe than anyone would ever be able to describe the feeling in an impartial and unbiased way.

Valentine sacrificed himself in the name of love, and precisely this act led him to the prison where he met the love of his life to only spend a few minutes with her. But he loved her. And to manage to heal her, he surely loved her a lot.

And, undoubtedly, he hasn’t loved her less than those who attended his secret ceremonies. His commitment and belief in the feeling brought him to the place where he could experience for a short amount of time the grandest feelings of all. 

Yes, that is what love is about. Rebelling against the conventional, challenging the existing beliefs. Love is about establishing and “decorating” a unique world where you can privately express your tenderness and affection in an inimitable manner. Creating your private space within the vast universe where the two of you are the only rulers and thus its ultimate creators.

I bet you and your partner have exchanged present before. I bet they have given you beautiful bouquets of flowers, and certainly you have initiated quite a few intimate gestures to also warm their heart...But remember, Valentine sacrificed his life believing that love did matter, and could make a change… Isn’t it time we did the same and celebrated the true meaning of the day?

I reckon it’s the time we rebelled against the commercial idea that love is dressed only in “red”. Valentine's story actually reminds that love has quite a few different faces, which cannot be really encapsulated only by one colour and the cute little heart shape.

Love is sometimes more of a companionship; love is sometimes simply a friendship; love could even be the practical decision to enter into a marriage. Would you really use "red" to dress up any of those?

Skip the typical purchases this year. Think big. Think local (in the context of your relationship) rather than global. Grab your partner’s hand and take him out. Escape the trap of the polished Valentine’s Day routine. Write your own story. Choose your own little shape rather than simply sticking to the heart one. Pick your own colour that signifies your love and go enjoy your day.

Being a passionate fashion lover myself, I cannot skip the opportunity to suggest my modest way of rebellion against the stereotypical promotion of love. Fashion has served as a powerful weapon for initiating social change in the past. Think Chanel and the first female trousers she designed - she changed the existing perception of gender. Having said that, resisting the temptation of employing fashion as a way of making a point seems somewhat rather impossible.

Instead of going for the dreamy, romantic Valentine’s Day look, I suggest you two go out there and seek for some extraordinary pieces. I suggest you forget about the LBD and red nail polish. I suggest you make a statement and exchange your dull Valentine’s preparation routine by adding some extra creativity to your look. Come on - dig around and seek some inspiration.

Choose a quirky colour that signified your love, pick a special item and incorporate it to both of your outfits. Do your best to stand out from the crowd, do your best to remind us what love is about - differentiating yourself from others, staying true to the special relationship you have developed and sustained over time.

Be bolder. Exchange the fairy dress with leather pants. Paint your nails in dark, forget about the creamy lace. And for him, well, challenge him to wear an accessory that will compliment your look and make you stand out - but this time as a couple.

Then, I hope you no longer wonder why I’ve chosen probably the most extraordinary colour for my Valentine’s Night look. Rather than using cayenne (quite in this season) I’ve chosen the dazzling blue as its substitute.

Get a glimpse of my outfit suggestion below:

Quirky Valentine's Night Outfit: 

Pants: The Row Moto Stretch-Leather skinny pants 

Top: Oasis Plain Vest

Coat: Black Sleeveless Long Faux Fur Dress

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 100 mm Pigalle Patent Leather Pumps

Bag: Bernard Delettrez Black Nappa Leather Clutch w/ Angel Wins 

Bangles: LK Designs Chain, Black Wrap Leather Bracelet

Earrings: Gold-Tone M” & Crystal Button Stud Earrings 2-pr. Set

Nail polishes: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer, Royal Navy 0.4 fl oz (9ml); Nails Inc Chelsea Passage Fibre Optic 10 ml

*For additional information go to Antoinette's Quirky Valentine's Night Outfit

And "his" accessories which will finish off your "couple's look". 

Shoes: Salvatore Ferregamo 'Santo Chelsea Boot' - More info here

Scarf: Burberry Check Print Wool Scarf -  More info here

Watch: Chronograph Rubber Strap Watch, 42 mm - More info here

Well, who said that blue cannot become your colour of love?

And you, have you chosen your Valentine’s outfit yet? And which is going to be your personal colour of love?

Much love,