Fatal attraction: Why brands are betting on the allure of dark cherry red

Dark and sweet with a hint of tart, dark cherry red is a classic that has returned to dominate 2025. It first appeared on the Gucci, Chanel, and Ferragamo runways in 2024, and interest in dark cherry red has skyrocketed this year, reflecting our shared attraction to this timeless and versatile color.

Now a trending search term on Pinterest, dark cherry red has quickly become the ‘it’ color of 2025 for fashionistas of all stripes. Interior designers, graphic designers, and brands also can’t get enough of it.

Think of a cherry at the height of its maturity when it’s juiciest, and you’ve got the color of dark cherry red. Some may call it a black cherry color or even oxblood, but whatever you choose to call it, dark cherry red is a rich, deep red shade with a subtle purple undertone.

It’s fun to incorporate dark cherry red into your graphic design, decor, fashion, art, and other projects, either as the dominant color or as a pop of color. Still, you’ll need the correct HEX, RGB, and CMYK reference codes to do so:

This particular shade of red is inspired by the color of ripe red cherries, but the color red has been favored for centuries. In fact, red, in the form of the naturally occurring pigment red ochre, has been part of our ancestral palette since the very beginning of human art-making. This can be seen in cave paintings like the bison in red ochre in the caves of Altamira, Spain, which date from between 15,000 and 16,500 BC.

Deep cherry red was also popular in European fashion for many centuries. Achieving a rich, deep shade of red in clothing, however, was costly and difficult. Since the color was only affordable to the rich, it became synonymous with wealth and status.

Red was, of course, one of the prized colors among European painters. The Romans used it, and they valued it for painting the faces of triumphant generals in illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages in Europe and in the paintings of the European Renaissance. However, supply could not always meet demand, and it wasn’t until the 20th century, when safer and cheaper pigments were created, that artists could access a constant supply of reds.

Dark cherry red has a powerful and captivating allure that draws us to it. In color psychology, red cherry is an extroverted, confident color that increases the heart rate and evokes excitement and anticipation.

The color is thus associated with vitality, passion, and desire, and its deep hue adds mystery, suspense, and luxury. Dark cherry red is a terrific choice for companies looking to harness the power of this dark red aesthetic in their branding and marketing strategies.

Whether you’re working on a design, interior, or fashion project, these color palettes will help you choose the right combinations.

Let’s start with these earthy tones, which are great for book or magazine projects, digital or printed backgrounds, and interiors.

No matter the season, this wonderful and cozy autumn glow palette is sure to please. Use it for interiors, menu design, or any other creative project that requires evoking feelings of warmth and coziness.

Pair dark cherry red with neutrals to complement its dark, moody allure. This palette won’t let you down whether you’re trying to find the right combination for interiors or graphic design.

Jump onboard the dark cherry red trend and give your projects an updated look using our suggested palettes or creating your own. Either way, you will find tons of easy-to-use dark cherry red creative assets available at Envato. If you want to explore more trending colors, check out our articles on mustard yellow and Mocha Mousse.