Rome dressed its powerful in red. Tyrian purple — closer to a deep wine than violet — was reserved for emperors; fresco reds covered the walls of Pompeii. The Hugo Caesar Tassi palette draws straight from that source. Here is how to wear the imperial reds with confidence.
Meet the reds
Porpora is the house's Tyrian wine — deep, grown-up, never bright. Vermiglio is the fresco red: warmer and more alive, but still adult. Cornelia is the darkest, an oxblood that reads almost as a neutral after dark.
Beyond the reds, Verde Antico (a bronze-patina sage), Cobalto (imperial blue) and the stone neutrals Travertine and Avorio round out the palette.
By skin tone
Deep reds flatter almost everyone — the trick is matching undertone. Cool undertones glow in Porpora and Cornelia; warm undertones come alive in Vermiglio. If you're unsure, Porpora is the universal choice.
By occasion
For evening and weddings, Porpora and Vermiglio are celebratory without competing with a bride — see the occasion dresses. For daytime, soften to Travertine and Avorio. For a statement, Cornelia after dark is quietly commanding.
Styling the reds
Imperial red wants gold, not silver — fine-gold jewelry, a gold-trim detail, a tan or gold sandal. Keep the rest of the look quiet and let the color lead. A single deep-red dress, well cut, needs very little else.
Frequently Asked
- What is Tyrian purple?
- Tyrian purple was an ancient dye reserved for Roman emperors — in practice a deep, reddish wine rather than a bright violet. The house's Porpora colorway is drawn directly from it.
- What colors go with burgundy or oxblood?
- Gold tones, warm neutrals (camel, travertine, cream), and deep greens like Verde Antico all pair beautifully with burgundy and oxblood. Gold jewelry flatters the imperial reds more than silver.
- Is red appropriate for a wedding guest?
- A grown-up red — Porpora or Vermiglio rather than a bright primary — is celebratory and appropriate for most weddings, as long as the couple hasn't asked guests to avoid it.