The Valentino Red Dress: A Fashion History

The Valentino red dress holds a special place in fashion history, representing a timeless symbol of the house.

Since the brand's founding in 1959 by Valentino Garavani, the red dress has embodied his vision of modern and feminine clothing. The first red dress, named 'La Fiesta', was presented in the Spring-Summer 1959 collection and quickly became a trademark.

The shade, known as 'Valentino Red', has its own definition in Pantone. Valentino's love for red began in his childhood when he attended the opera Carmen in Barcelona.

In his last collection in 2008, every model wore a red dress. Creative directors such as Alessandra Facchinetti, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Pierpaolo Piccioli, and Alessandro Michele have continued to honor the tradition of the red dress.

Even after the death of Valentino Garavani on January 19, 2026, the color red will continue to exist in the creations of the house.