As stars donned black to pay their respects at Valentino's funeral, the iconic designer's legacy was celebrated through a nod to his beloved colour - red. The shade, which has been synonymous with Valentino since his debut collection in 1959, has become an integral part of the designer's identity.
Valentino himself had long recognised the power of red, recalling the impact of watching an older woman at the opera wearing a stunning crimson gown that made her stand out from the crowd. "It's a tone that works across a range of skin colours and it makes nearly all women look great," says Alistair O'Neill, curator of Somerset House's Valentino: Master of Couture exhibition.
The specific shade of red, however, is what sets it apart - a deep scarlet with a hint of blue. Charlie Porter, fashion writer and contributor to the book Valentino Rosso, notes that Valentino developed this colour before Pantone began systemising colours in the early 1960s, making it a unique and human-feeling red.
For Vogue Italia's February issue, the magazine's head of content, Francesca Ragazzi, worked with Valentino's foundation to identify the closest match to Valentino red - settling on Pantone 2347C. This vibrant, luminous shade was seen as "the most vibrant" and "best expresses a sense of light," according to Ragazzi.
Valentino's love affair with red also extended to his personal life, with the designer believing that he should have a red dress in every collection. Sixty-seven years after designing his iconic Fiesta gown, Valentino red remains an integral part of the brand's identity.
Yet not everyone is convinced that red will continue to be closely associated with Valentino in the years to come. Porter argues that there is another reference point - the Rockstud shoes featured in The Devil Wears Prada 2 - which many associate with the designer, regardless of whether they were designed by him or not.
Colour expert Kassia St Clair disputes this notion, arguing that red transcends associations and has been a symbol of luxury for centuries. "It really has said the same things - power, wealth, status - for as long as we know," she says.
As the fashion world bids farewell to Valentino, it is clear that his legacy will continue to be felt through the timeless shade of red that defined him - a colour that remains both personal and universal.
Valentino himself had long recognised the power of red, recalling the impact of watching an older woman at the opera wearing a stunning crimson gown that made her stand out from the crowd. "It's a tone that works across a range of skin colours and it makes nearly all women look great," says Alistair O'Neill, curator of Somerset House's Valentino: Master of Couture exhibition.
The specific shade of red, however, is what sets it apart - a deep scarlet with a hint of blue. Charlie Porter, fashion writer and contributor to the book Valentino Rosso, notes that Valentino developed this colour before Pantone began systemising colours in the early 1960s, making it a unique and human-feeling red.
For Vogue Italia's February issue, the magazine's head of content, Francesca Ragazzi, worked with Valentino's foundation to identify the closest match to Valentino red - settling on Pantone 2347C. This vibrant, luminous shade was seen as "the most vibrant" and "best expresses a sense of light," according to Ragazzi.
Valentino's love affair with red also extended to his personal life, with the designer believing that he should have a red dress in every collection. Sixty-seven years after designing his iconic Fiesta gown, Valentino red remains an integral part of the brand's identity.
Yet not everyone is convinced that red will continue to be closely associated with Valentino in the years to come. Porter argues that there is another reference point - the Rockstud shoes featured in The Devil Wears Prada 2 - which many associate with the designer, regardless of whether they were designed by him or not.
Colour expert Kassia St Clair disputes this notion, arguing that red transcends associations and has been a symbol of luxury for centuries. "It really has said the same things - power, wealth, status - for as long as we know," she says.
As the fashion world bids farewell to Valentino, it is clear that his legacy will continue to be felt through the timeless shade of red that defined him - a colour that remains both personal and universal.
The power of a single colour can evoke so much more than just a aesthetic preference... it's like a thread that weaves together our individual experiences, memories, and emotions 
Valentino's affinity for red speaks to something deeper within us all - the desire to stand out, to be seen, to be remembered. It's a reminder that even in an age of fast fashion and fleeting trends, true timeless style is rooted in the human experience 
And yet, as we celebrate his legacy, I wonder if we're also celebrating our own mortality... 
Is it possible that Valentino's iconic red will become synonymous with nostalgia, rather than innovation? 
Only time will tell, but for now, let's cherish the memories we've made, and the colours that have helped us make sense of ourselves. 
and can you even imagine anyone else being associated with it? its so valentino 
i love how kassia says it transcends associations tho - its like a language of luxury & power that ppl understand worldwide 
So I'm thinking what's up with this red obsession of Valentino? Like, we get it, it's iconic and all that but can't they just mix it up a bit? 
But can we also give it up for the newer designers trying to put their own spin on things? Maybe that's the future of fashion 
Like, I know the movie was a huge hit, but come on, they were just a shoe trend. Not even made by Valentino himself! 
But at the same time, I think some designers can get stuck in their ways and it's okay to try new things. 
His legacy lives on through the power of red 
.
It feels like there's more to it than just finding a new colour. The whole thing just seems kinda... manufactured. 
like he made it an integral part of his brand identity and even had a specific shade in mind since 1959 - pantone 2347c is everything!!! 
the way charlie porter says that red transcends associations and has been a symbol of luxury for centuries, i'm totally with him 
. RIP valentino, ur legacy lives on through the colour u loved so much 
interesting how Valentino's love affair with red has become so iconic, it's like he's still alive and rocking crimson gowns 67 years later 
. I remember seeing that Fiesta gown for the first time and just being blown away by its beauty 
I mean, it's like every fashion brand is doing the same thing - you start off with that one signature color and then just repeat it over and over again... what's up with that?! 
. I love how Alistair O'Neill describes it as a tone that works across a range of skin colours - it's like, you can't go wrong with a classic 
.
it's literally like they're an extension of each other, i know some people are saying maybe valentino red won't be as big of a deal in the future, but for me, that's just not gonna happen 
and i love how he said it makes most women look great 
. like, is there even a study on this? and what makes this specific shade of red so special? is it just because he created it before pantone standardized colors? 
. maybe its time to let go of the past and move on to new colours and styles. i mean, who says you can't have a good time with some bold yellows or electric blues? 
?