Valentino

Few fashion brands brands have as enviable a fashion history as the House of Valentino. From a salon financed by his father, Valentino's collections went down in fashion history when worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn and endorsed by Vogue editor Diana Vreeland and art icon Andy Warhol.

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was always interested in fashion and art. In 1949 he left home in Voghera to study art and fashion in Paris. Here he enrolled himself at École des Beaux-Arts and Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. When Valentino won a contest on fashion design by the International Wool Secretariat —the same prize iconic fashion designers Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld would win later— it led to a job at House of Jean Dessès where he helped Countess Jacqueline de Ribes sketch her ideas for bespoke couture. In 1957 Guy Laroche, an illustrator at Dessès, set up his own fashion house and Valentino worked with him for two years.

In 1959 Valentino returned to Rome and -with financial backing from his father- opened his "maison de haute couture" on Via Condotti. It was magnificent and fashion models flew in from Paris for his debut showing. Valentino became famous for his red evening gowns which has been ingrained in fashion lexicon as "Valentino red." Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor- who was shooting for "Cleopatra" in Rome- came across his creations and placed an order for a white dress which she wore for the world premiere of "Spartacus". 

There was no looking back. Valentino was on a roll. In 1960 a serendipitous meeting with architecture student Giancarlo Giametti at Cafe de Paris led to a lasting relationship. Giammetti became his business partner and companion.. and together they built the Valentino empire. Two years later Valentino debuted his couture collection in Florence and in no time, the A-list set wore his designs including Princess Margaret of England, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy.

In a bold move away from his signature red, Valentino designed a white collection in 1967 for which he was honoured with "The Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion". The collection debuted the V monogram. Buoyed by success.. in 1969 he opened his first ready-to-wear store in Milan followed by stores in New York, Rome and Asia. It was now a global brand. Throughout the Seventies, Valentino spent time in New York, where his presence was revered by Vogue editor Diana Vreeland who expected nothing but the best from the Italian couture house; Valentino was synonymous with elegance, style and Italian craftsmanship.The Nineties marked the opening of Accademia Valentino: a cultural space for art exhibits. The following year- encouraged by Elizabeth Taylor- the duo opened L.I.F.E.: a firm that supports AIDS patients.

Valentino received several awards in his prolific career including The Legion of Honour; Medal of the City of Paris; Golden Plate Award of American Academy of Achievement and the crowning glory… The Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1998 the company was sold for reportedly $300 million to Italian conglomerate HdP. In 2002, Valentino S.p.A. was resold by HdP to The Marzotto Group for reportedly $210 million.

In July 2007 Valentino celebrated forty-five years in Fashion. The global A-list set flocked to Rome for a three-day gala and the following January, he walked his last runway to a standing ovation. When Valentino retired in January 2008, his farewell show was an extravagant one held at Musée Rodin, Paris and the nine hundred -strong guests which included royals and celebrities gave him a standing ovation. On his retirement.. Alessandra Facchinetti was named Creative Director but was replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. Per Vogue France: "The modest Italian-born duo reinvented the label's flamboyant design codes, bringing a gentle liberty with more volume, fluid lines, softer colors and graceful simple silhouettes." However, on 7 July 2016, Maison Valentino nominated Pierpaolo Piccioli its sole Creative Director. Chiuri left after seventeen years with the brand and eight years in her role as co-creative director…

The Italian fashion house announced Lady Gaga the face of Voce Viva- a perfume envisioned by Pierpaolo Piccioli. "Lady Gaga means freedom.. self-consciousness.. pure heart" Piccioli said in a statement. "Her participation in this campaign elevates the symbolic power of the project to the highest level. She is the icon of a generation. Her message of freedom, passion for art, self-consciousness and equality is the same our Valentino community stands for. I am so proud for having her in."

In 2012 Qatar acquired Valentino for reportedly 700 million euros through an investment vehicle. In recent times, the Italian fashion house announced Lady Gaga as the new face of Voce Viva- a perfume envisioned by Pierpaolo Piccioli. The maison also announced that it would no longer use alpaca wool harvested from live animals from the world's largest privately owned alpaca farm Mallkini in Peru and severed ties with Mallkini.

Valentino Fall 2023-24 Couture was highly acclaimed. Per Vogue: "Piccioli, whose hyper-skilled atelier can bring to life even the most maddeningly elaborate artifacts, believes on the contrary that the essence of couture is profoundly simple. He made the case for this by showing a collection devoid of pyrotechnics, superfluous gimmicks and crowd-pleasing distractions. It was simplicity at its most masterful- a celebration of imaginative extravagant clarity."

Valentino's mission is to empower women by reimagining timeless elegance through a contemporary perspective, creating luxury apparel that is both relevant and deeply sensual. The luxury fashion brand is dedicated to crafting designs that resonate with the modern global woman, offering pieces that are not only beautiful but also versatile and wearable. By blending classic couture elements with innovative touches, Valentino ensures that each collection reflects the sophistication and confidence of its wearer.

Central to Valentino's mission is the belief that fashion should enhance a woman's sense of self, making her feel empowered and uniquely herself. The fashion brand strives to deliver luxury that allows women to express their individuality through styles that are at once timeless and modern. Through this approach, Valentino continues to define what it means to be a leader in the world of high fashion, staying true to its heritage while continuously evolving to meet the needs of today’s woman.

Luxury fashion brand Valentino’s vision is deeply rooted in the rich legacy of its founder, Valentino Garavani, whose passion for fashion and art established the brand as a symbol of timeless elegance and Italian craftsmanship. The maison envisions a future where tradition and innovation coexist, creating collections that honor the iconic fashion brand's heritage while embracing modern influences. Under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino continues to redefine its identity, blending classic couture elements with contemporary design to handcraft pieces that resonate with the evolving tastes of its global audience.

The luxury fashion brand is committed to a vision that goes beyond fashion, aiming to influence culture and inspire through its dedication to artistry and ethical practices. Valentino seeks to lead by example, balancing luxury with responsibility by making thoughtful decisions such as severing ties with suppliers that do not align with its values. By championing diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability, Valentino aspires to create not just beautiful apparel and accessories, but a meaningful and impactful legacy that reflects the values of freedom, passion, and equality that define the Valentino community.

Valentino offers luxury products that are celebrated for their impeccable craftsmanship and elegant design. The brand’s collections include haute couture, ready-to-wear apparel, handbags, footwear, and accessories, each meticulously handcrafted to reflect Valentino’s signature blend of sophistication, classicism and modern design aesthetic. From the iconic Valentino Garavani handbags to the stunning red-carpet gowns, every product embodies the luxury brand’s commitment to quality, style, and timeless beauty.

In addition to its exquisite collections, Valentino provides personalized services that enhance the luxury experience. Clients can enjoy bespoke tailoring and customization options that allow them to own truly unique pieces tailored to their individual preferences. Whether through exclusive made-to-order services or personalized consultations, Valentino ensures that each customer receives a one-of-a-kind experience, making them feel truly special and connected to the brand's rich heritage and modern sensibility.