Who's Afraid Of the Big Bad Wolf?

Most of us grew up with the story of Little Red Riding Hood, the girl who encounters the Big Bad Wolf while walking through the forest to her grandmother's house. But the earliest known printed version from the 17th century, Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, went a little differently. Instead of a little girl, the story had as its subject an "attractive, well-bred young lady," and a harsh warning to women against of the advances of certain men.

"Big Bad Wolves" movie

From this tale, one learns that young lasses, especially the pretty, courteous, and well-bred ones, do very wrong to listen to strangers:

"There is one kind [of wolf] with an amenable disposition — neither noisy, nor hateful, nor angry, but tame, obliging and gentle, following the young maids in the streets, even into their homes. Alas! Who does not know that these gentle wolves are of all such creatures the most dangerous!"

Another common interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood refers to a classic warning against becoming a "working girl" (as the red cloak was a classic signal of prostitution in 17th century France). But as most of you will concur, the modern interpretations of the little red maiden and the sinister wolf are more more fashionable (and far less frightening) than previously thought.

Ana+Sekularac, Fall 2008

Bernard Willhelm, Fall 2008

(left to right) designs by Alexis Lamontagna, Kate Sylvester and Whitley Kros

Converse Riding Hood All Stars at shoebuy.com

Tua by Braccialini Little Red Riding Hood Bag at braccialini.it

Akina Little Red Riding Hood Top at akina.com.au

Red Riding Hood Messenger by Kitty Empire 3

Fairytale Forest Skirt at madewithlovebyhannah.com

Wendy Gell Little Red Riding Hood Pendant Necklace at regencies.com
Little Red Riding Hood Fairy Tale Necklace at lunarrastar.com