Valentino: Italian Fashion Icon Dies at 93
The shade now universally known as “Valentino red” originated from a unique color blend of carmine, scarlet, and a touch of orange. The inspiration for this hue came to a young Valentino Garavani while observing an elegantly dressed elderly woman at the Barcelona opera house.
Several years later,in 1959,Valentino debuted the color with a strapless cocktail dress crafted from draped tulle. The dress proved pivotal, establishing “Valentino red” as both a signature color for the designer and the Italian fashion house that bears his name.
Valentino Garavani himself articulated his affinity for the color, stating in his 2022 book, “rosso” (Red), “I think a woman dressed in red is always wonderful, she is the perfect image of a heroine.” he consistently incorporated at least one red dress into each of his collections throughout his career.