A history of the life of Valentino Garavani

The world knows fashion icon Valentino Garavani by his first name alone. The couturier to the elite is known for his beguiling and intricately detailed gowns 

and sensational couture creations. Valentino revolutionized the fashion industry with his distinctive brand of glitterati chic, cultivating a signature style that 

is now a ubiquitous sight on red carpets. Inspired by old Hollywood glamour, Valentino 's gowns are crafted from ultra-feminine materials like lace, silk and 

chiffon, and often feature delicate embroidery. He's known for his meticulous attention to detail and the use of fabrics dyed in his signature color, red. 

Valentino Garavani Runway Show

It's a fresh era for Valentino . The designer officially retired in 2008, and one of his successors, Maria Grazia Chiuri, departed for dior in 2016. Pierpaolo 

Piccioli has since settled into his role as sole creative director of Valentino , and a contemporary collection bearing his name – Red Valentino – allows a reflection 

audience to access a taste of his signature style. 

Despite an array of changes, the tone of the original fashion house – one of extraordinary drama – remains as set by the original designer. Periods of creativity 

transition are prime for reexamining roots – in this case, of both the brand and the man behind the label.Red Valentino star studded crossbody bag - Star 

Studded Crossbody Bag by Red Valentino 

Valentino Before Valentino - Valentino Garavani was born on May 11, 1932 in Lombardy, Northern Italy. He adored fashion from a young age and especially 

delighted in attending the theater and opera to see the opulent costumes. When Valentino was interviewed as part of the 2014 Fashion Icons series with Fern 

Mallis at the 92nd Street Y, he spoke affectionately of his memories of the theater. "I was so enchanted by all those evening gowns, those sequins, those shiny 

things. Then I realized that my way was to do design," said Valentino . 

At the age of 17, with the help of his mother and father, Valentino moved to Paris to study fashion at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts and at the Chambre 

Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. After his graduation, he became an apprentice and honed his craft in couture at Jean Dessés and Guy Laroche. After a few 

years in Paris, Valentino relocated to Rome and in 1959, with the help of his father and business associate, opened his eponymous fashion house. 

After a tumultuous single year in business Valentino found himself near bankruptcy, but soon met Giancarlo Giammetti, a young architecture student who would 

later become his company president. The two formed a lifelong partnership, and Giametti made the risky decision to quit school and become Valentino 's business 

partner. 

"He asked if he could see the fashion house, and he said, 'What a boring life I have, to be an architect, to go home to study. I would love to come here and do 

something for the fashion house,'" Garavani recalled during his Fashion Icons interview. "He came and he took care of everything that was not part of the 

creation. Little by little we arrived at something quite solid." 

With the help of Giametti, budding fashion icon Valentino Garavani made his international debut in 1962 – his first couture show held at Pitti Palace in Florence. 

Featuring a parade of dresses in his signature red hue, the show was an immense success and is considered Valentino 's major breakthrough in the international 

fashion world.   

 

Divine devotees - Valentino Garavani, in his 45 years of work, has dressed more major dignitaries, first ladies, celebrities and socialites than any other working person 

designer. Known affectionately as "Val's Gals," this coterie of elegant women includes figures such as actress Elizabeth Taylor, Anne Hathaway and Marie-Chantal, 

Crown Princess of Greece, all of whom act as honorary ambassadors to the fashion house. 

One of Valentino 's most influential clients, and a major instrument of his success was Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis. 'Jackie O' was also fond of couture designers 

such as Givenchy and dior , but the First Lady was particularly taken with Valentino Garavani's style. After the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, 

She ordered six black and white haute couture Valentino dresses to be worn during her year of mourning. The two became lifelong friends, and Jacqueline almost 

exclusively began to wear Valentino designs. He designed the now iconic dress for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis – the pleated, knee-length ivory creation with 

a mock turtleneck solidified Valentino 's status as an international fashion figurehead.