Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani

Born in Voghera, Italy, Valentino became fascinated with fashion in his elementary school years, his aunt was a local designer and became his muse, and with that Valentino, with help from his parents, moved to Paris to purpure his love of fabrics, colors, textures and designe. He studied at École des Beau-Arts and Chamber Syndicole de la Couture Parisienne.

Caroline Seiber in Valentino

After he finished school, he found an apprenticeship with Jacques Fath, then Balenciaga. After he completed those, he helped style Jacqueline de Ribes with mentor Jean Desses. Valentino's style didn't go unnoticed, legends like Elizabeth Taylor and Marie Hélèn de Rothschild began to admire his apparent layering, white pleats and animal prints, and fell hopelessly in love. In 1959, Valentino and friend Guy Laroche opened a shop in Rome, Valentino became known for his bright dresses, "Valentino Red." 

In 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti, who later became his business partner, within a few months, Valentino was struggling to stay afloat. In 1962 Valentino made his fashion debut in Florence, and soon the struggling designer was creating garments for Jacquline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Gloria Guinness, Elizabeth Taylor, Babe Paley and many more.

On September 4th, 2007, Valentino announced his retirement and on January 23rd 2008 he presented his last show at the Musée Rodin in Paris.

Audrey Hepburn in Valentino

2006

Babe Paley

x- The D3vil Wears G