Valentino’s signature red returns to spotlight at funeral in Rome

After the announcement of Valentino Garavani's death at the age of 93, the designer's signature red returned to the spotlight as mourners gathered in Rome. While most attendees at his funeral wore black, tributes in Valentino red included Donatella Versace wearing a bright red suit as she paid her respects, Vogue Italia's February cover reworking Valentino red, and Damian Hurley accessorising with a bright red scarf.

Valentino produced his first red dress, called Fiesta, in his 1959 debut collection; he was said to have been inspired by seeing an older woman at the opera in a red dress. Curator Alistair O’Neill described the designer's shade as a scarlet with a hint of blue that suits many skin tones, and Charlie Porter noted Valentino developed the colour before Pantone systematised colours.

Vogue Italia worked with the Valentino foundation to identify the closest Pantone match, settling on 2347C. Observers linked the shade to Italy and Rome and to a wider resurgence of red in fashion, with the so-called "unexpected red theory" moving from interiors into clothing. Kassia St Clair described red's long association with power, wealth and status, and Francesca Ragazzi of Vogue Italia called Valentino red a defining part of his legacy.

Key Topics

Culture, Valentino Garavani, Rome, Valentino Red, Valentino Foundation, Donatella Versace