An Ode to Taking Up Space In a World Obsessed With Subtlety
Mainstream fashion has long been enamoured with restraint. Neutrals dominate wardrobes, beige is branded as chic, minimalism as clean, and understatement as the ultimate form of class. There is an unspoken expectation that luxury should be discreet, almost invisible.
And then there is Red. Real Red. Valentino Red.
Not softened. Not muted. Not subtle. Valentino Red stands apart amidst a plethora of silenced tones, refusing to apologise for being seen.Â
Why Valentino Chose Red
Valentino Red, officially Pantone 2035 C, is a deep carmine shade laced with hints of blue and orange. It is warm, sensual, and commanding. Over time, it became synonymous with the House of Valentino, but its origins lie in a single, formative moment.
As a young Valentino Garavani sat in an opera house in Barcelona, he took notice of women dressed in vivid red glowing against the darkness of the theatre. That image stayed with him.
Red soon became his lucky colour. More than that, it became his rule. Every Valentino collection would include at least one red dress. For nearly fifty years, he held onto that promise. Over time, red ceased to be a colour and became his signature.
Taking Up SpaceÂ
Valentino Red has often been described as dramatic. In truth, it is deliberate. In a culture that encourages women to soften their edges and minimise their presence, this shade does the opposite. It takes up space boldly. And, it does not shrink to fit the room.
Valentino Garavani famously said, “When you see a woman in a beautiful red evening dress, it’s really something special.” In truth, the designer loved women; he designed for them, without restrictions and without conforming.Â
Decade after decade, Valentino Red dominated the red carpet through the likes of Princess Diana, Jennifer Aniston, Naomi Campbell, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and more.Â
Its presence extended beyond couture to REDValentino, the brand’s youthful and romantic diffusion line, which remained in production until 2022. It appeared in accessories through Vlogo and Velvet Valentino bags and made its way into beauty with Rosso Valentino Lipsticks. Red wasn’t just something to wear, but something to live in.
A Final Bow in Red
With the passing of Valentino Garavani, fashion lost one of its last true romantics. A designer who believed beauty should be emotional, expressive, and deeply felt. He understood that colour could speak before words ever did.
Today, Valentino Red has a legacy of its own. A reminder that elegance does not need to be quiet. That femininity can command space. That presence is not something to apologise for.
In a world that increasingly celebrates blending in, choosing red became the maestro’s act of confidence. It became what made him unmistakably Valentino.