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Valentino Garavani (b. 1932) studied fashion design in the late 1940s at the Accademia dell’Arte in Milan and at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris. He became an assistant at Jean Desses in 1950, moved to Guy Laroche in 1956, and returned to Italy in 1959 to work for Galitzine.

In 1960 Valentino established his own salon on the fashionable Via Condotti in Rome. Two years later he did his first ready-to-wear collection. He also showed his collection at the Pitti Palace in Florence in the same year, a move which led to greater exposure and set him as a major Italian designer.

Valentino’s work is grand and dramatic. This makes his designs perfect as wedding dresses, including those of Jackie Kennedy to Aristotle Onassis (from the 1968 White collection) and Elizabeth Taylor in 1991 (her eighth marriage!).

Over the years Valentino has added various ready-to-wear lines, including ones for men, children, the home, and young adults, called Oliver. This line was named for one of his pug dogs. His labels and designs often have his trademark V incorporated in them and there is a special shade of red that is associated with Valentino.

Valentino retired in 2008, but his line continued for two seasons under the direction of Alessandra Facchinetti. As of 2024, Alessandro Michele was the new Creative Director.

Written by fuzzylizzie

See vintage Valentino from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)


from a 1960s jacket - Courtesy of listitcafe

from a 1960s jacket

Courtesy of listitcafe

from a 1965 evening gown - Courtesy of Ryerson University Fashion Research Collection

from a 1965 evening gown

Courtesy of Ryerson University Fashion Research Collection

from an early to mid 1970s coat - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from an early to mid 1970s coat

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a 1970s skirt - Courtesy of lkranie

from a 1970s skirt

Courtesy of lkranie

from a 1970s evening gown - Courtesy of Whitewolf

from a 1970s evening gown

Courtesy of Whitewolf

from a 1970s dress - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1970s/1980s nightgown - Courtesy of midnightglamour

from a 1970s/1980s nightgown

Courtesy of midnightglamour

from an early 1980s blouse - Courtesy of katzoid

from an early 1980s blouse

Courtesy of katzoid

from an early to mid 1980s mens shirt - Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from an early to mid 1980s mens shirt

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a 1980s jacket - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s jacket

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s tie - Courtesy of glad rags and curios

from a 1980s tie

Courtesy of glad rags and curios

from a 1980s coat - Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1980s coat

Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1980s dress catwalkcreative - Courtesy of catwalkcreative

from a 1980s dress catwalkcreative

Courtesy of catwalkcreative

from a 1980s skirt - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1980s skirt

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a late 1980s/early 1990s hunting jacket - Courtesy of vintage-voyager.com

from a late 1980s/early 1990s hunting jacket

Courtesy of vintage-voyager.com

from an early 1990s dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1990s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1990s dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1990s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1990s jumpsuit - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from an early 1990s jumpsuit

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1990s satin skirt - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1990s satin skirt

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1990s dress - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1990s dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a silk 2000s tie - Courtesy of midge

from a silk 2000s tie

Courtesy of midge