VALENTINO ROSSO – Text by Charlie Porter. Story by RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Valentino.
Valentino Rosso explored more than fifty years of the best-preserved archives in the world of fashion to produce this incredible catalog raisonné of more than 180 of Valentino’s most emblematic dresses and accessories.
Through all the periods of Valentino Garavani up to the creations of the current artistic director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, this book illustrates the unparalleled bond that unites Maison Valentino to one of the most passionate, seductive, powerful and culturally symbolic colors in the world.
“For the Valentino maison, red is not just a color.
It is a non-fading mark, a logo, an iconic element of the
brand, a value.”
—Valentino Garavani
No one understands red quite like Valentino. In a sweeping celebration and exploration of the Italian house’s relationship with the color, Rosso Valentino mines more than fifty years of one of fashion’s most meticulously preserved archives for a definitive catalogue raisonné featuring over 180 of Valentino’s most iconic dresses and accessories, from legendary silk ball gowns and haute couture chiffon creations to nappa calfskin “Rockstud” slingbacks and VLogo Signature buckle belts with antique brass finishes.
Spanning the eras of Valentino Garavani to the current creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, the title illustrates Valentino’s unparalleled connection to one of the world’s most passionate, seductive, powerful, and culturally symbolic colors. Charlie Porter is a writer and a curator whose most recent book is What Artists Wear. He writes for titles such as Financial Times, New York Times, Luncheon and i-D, and has worked at The Guardian, British GQ and Fantastic Man. He was a juror for the Turner Prize in 2019, the same year he curated the group show Palimpsest at Lismore Castle in Ireland.
About Assouline
Founded in Paris in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline, Assouline is the first luxury brand on culture. It began with the desire to create a new, contemporary style of book, using the couple’s experienced eye for visually rich stories and compelling narratives. Guided by their passion for knowledge, culture and travel, the Assoulines have since expanded their vision to 1,700 titles in three main collections, along with special editions and unique library accessories—a grand oeuvre of inspiring creations. Throughout the last quarter of a century, the brand has established a network of international boutiques in prominent locations across the globe. Assouline has also inaugurated a curated library service, working closely with clients to visualize, design, and develop bespoke, one-of-a-kind libraries.
With a distinguished team of creative talents—which includes the founders’ son Alexandre—the brand continues to reinvent the notion of true luxury. Assouline’s roster of collaborators includes some of the world’s most respected brands, artists, photographers, writers and designers. Assouline continues to exude an unparalleled signature style and elegant savoir faire, which has globally redefined modern publishing.
The new people-centric company culture certainly cannot be separated from the green transition started by the company years ago, which Venturini has decisively accelerated.
