When you think of your favorite luxury designers, which names come to first to mind? One of our all-time favorites has to be Valentino.
For decades, celebrities around the globe have sought out the designer’s inimitable look. Just in recent months, celebrities who’ve been featured wearing Valentino include Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, Anwar Hadid, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Celine Dion.
Here are just 5 reasons why we’re wildly in love with Valentino:
1. Origins in Milan and Paris
Valentino Garavani was born in 1932 in Italy in the town of Voghera, located southwest of Milan. In his youth, he went to Milan to attend the Academia dell Arte, studying fashion design and French.
He also put his French language skills to good use to study in Paris at the famed Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He also developed his skills as an apprentice to French designers such as Guy Laroche and Jean Dessès.
In 1959, he returned to Italy and established the Valentino label in Rome in 1960 with his longtime friend and business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.
What’s not to love about a designer able to combine couture inspiration and experience from both Italy and France!
2. Signature Red
Valentino is probably most well-known for his signature hue: Valentino red.
In 1962, he debuted in his first couture show in Florence at Pitti Palace. He offered the world a parade of dresses in his distinct red shade and became an immediate breakthrough sensation on the international fashion scene.
The Valentino trademarked red color formula is said to contain a blend of magenta, yellow, and black – which is why it can’t help but stand out, a true symbol of luxury and elegance.
3. “No Colour”
In spite of his love for color, in the late 1960’s, when psychedelic tie-dye colors were the trend, Valentino took a rebellious stand: he developed his “No Colour” collection, featuring only shades of white, ivory, cream, ecru, sand, and beige.
This bold move started a new “all-white” fashion binge and won Valentino a notable Neiman Marcus award.
4. A Half Century (and More) of Creative Leadership
Valentino dressed not only celebrities and socialites, but also first ladies and powerful women dignitaries in his decades of work at the creative helm of the Valentino brand. Some of his legendary clients include Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.
In 2008, Valentino officially “retired” from business. (That same year saw the premiere of the documentary of his life “Valentino: The Last Emperor”).
However, it wasn’t yet the end for Valentino’s design career…
5. A Wedding Dress for Anne Hathaway
In one of his recent design ventures, in 2012, Valentino created a custom bridal gown for Anne Hathaway.
The fantasy-inspired off-the shoulder gown was fitting for any princess with a hand-painted train embroidered with delicate flowers.
Valentino, who reportedly loves Anne like a daughter, has called her a “great, great, great, great thousand times great star. She has all the qualities.”
Today, Valentino’s brand still is a beacon of relevance and trend-setting. The Valentino Fall 2019 collection promotes a message of inclusivity that feels needed in a global political climate that seems dominated by fear and partisan division.
Are you in love with Valentino too? Tell us why!
And check out our collection of luxury Valentino shoes, offered at an amazing discount!