Valentino Garavani

Helping Superstars Look the Part

Valentino Garavani is one of Italy's finest fashion designers. Known for his classic designs, he dresses the world's rich and famous. Valentino has built his fashion house into an empire, with a little help from a man whom he made his partner in business, Giancarlo Giammetti.

With his trademark "V", Valentino has designed haute couture fashion for decades. He has dressed such stars as Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Halle Berry. People will rarely see a red-carpet event without seeing one of Valentino's designs. His designs remain some of the most sought after in the world.

While in Paris, Valentino studied under some of the world's best in fashion. Starting with Jean Desses as an apprentice and continuing on under Guy Laroche, Valentino quickly learns what it takes to be one of the best. It isn't long before Valentino decides to try to build his own fashion house.

Valentino leaves Paris and opens his own fashion studio in Rome in the late 1950's. Naming the fashion house, Valentino, after himself, he begins to design for his first fashion show. In 1962 Valentino completes his first runway fashion show. It is with the absolute success of this show that that fashion world first takes notice of Valentino and his designs. His house is on its way to becoming an empire

His greatest success comes in 1967 when Valentino launches his White Collection. This show and his designs draw critical acclaim. When bold and funky colors were all the rage, Valentino takes a risk and designs using shades of whites. The show is a wild success. It is because of this collection that he wins the Nieman Marcus award in design. Valentino's house is now reaching unprecedented success.

One of his most famous clients, Jacqueline Kennedy, requests that Valentino design her a dress. This dress is for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis. The year is 1968, the dress a white lace mini. Valentino's design is seen all over the world, on magazine covers everywhere. His house has now reached iconic status.

In the 1970's Valentino begins designing his ready-to-wear collection for both men and women. He opens boutiques with his ready-to-wear collection in both Milan and Rome. Valentino continues to design, not just dresses, but also ties, accessories, shirts and jeans. Valentino continues his success with a perfume and interior de'cor line. Valentino has truly become fashion's "It" man.

It is in 1989 that Valentino expands his empire with boutique chain openings in the United States and Japan. Dressing the rich and famous in luxurious clothing has made his fashion house one of the most coveted.

In 1990 Valentino and his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, create the organization called L.I.F.E., which supports AIDS related patients. It was with the support and help from another famous friend, Elizabeth Taylor that this organization is created.

 
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Valentino's designs through the years have remained romantic, just like he prefers. Throughout the years, Valentino has continued to make romantic, lovely and fashionable designs that speak to women of all ages. Valentino believes that details should be minimal and that the cut of the dress is the most important. His dresses are flawlessly designed, and have remained so for over forty years.

Valentino has since expanded his empire throughout the world, including the Middle East, Europe and Asia. In 2005 he was awarded the Superstar award at the Fashion Group International Night of the Stars, by one of his favorite red carpet clients: Meryl Streep.

Having always been a man who believes in dressing the "part", Valentino recently criticized some of his most famous clients for not looking like the celebrity they are. He believes that stars, such as Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts, should not look unkempt, even on their most casual days. Valentino is a firm believer of a celebrity always dressing the role of a celebrity, regardless of the day.

Valentino Garavani was once a boy with a dream. He has since become a man who has built a true fashion empire, the House of Valentino. Still designing at the age of 74, Valentino is truly immeasurable.