A History of Courtesans Thru the Lens of Louboutin Beauty's 2025 Rouge Stiletto Vinyl Gloss Campaign
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Red lips have always fascinated Anne of Carversville because of the stories about women’s lives and morality standards that have accompanied the wearing of red lipstick for thousands of years.
When AOC shared news of Christian Louboutin Beauty’s [IG] October 2023 campaign for Louboutin Beauty, we called his stiletto-inspired makeup design a “10-Alarm Fire”.
Rouge Stiletto Vinyl Gloss
Groeneveld returns today, fronting Christian Louboutin’s early 2025 marketing for Rouge Stiletto Vinyl Gloss maxi lip gloss. Once again photographer Anthony Arquier [IG] captures Daphne, who is styled by Berenger Pelc./ Hair by Pierre Saint Sever; makeup by Morgane Martini; manicure by Romane Martini
Inspired, we return to Mesopotamia with red lips on our minds, asking about the rise of courtesans. Was it a worldwide role for select women, a role crossing many different global cultures but with compatible definitions?
We touched down in many parts of the world, and the courtesans — not to be confused with ordinary sex workers — appeared everywhere.
In Mesopotamia In ancient Mesopotamia, temple priestesses, often referred to as "sacred prostitutes," were involved in religious rites, highlighting a blend of the sacred and the secular that involved sexual service as part of worship. . . These practices are mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi, which provides one of the earliest written references to women who engaged in such roles.
In Greece The concept of the courtesan emerged more distinctly in Greece. Known as a ‘hetaira’, these women were educated and cultured, providing companionship and intellectual engagement, alongside sexual relationships with their patrons.. . . In India Ancient texts in India also offer early textual evidence of courtesans, with references in ancient texts such as the Arthashastra and the Kamasutra . . . In China The origins of courtesans in ancient China can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from approximately 1046 to 256 BC . . . In Italy The origins of courtesanship in Italy can be traced back to a complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors that emerged during the Renaissance.
In America Yes, there is a record of courtesans in America. But AOC needs to catch up with the facts. After reading about white women courtesans in urban cities like New York and Chicago, we queried the story in New Orleans.
The findings were borderline extraordinary, and we’re now deep into more scholarship. Join us from the link top of page or check in with our red-lips-women articles below. See you there. ~ Anne
