The refined style and the iconic red are the protagonists of the history of the Maison Valentino
Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born in Voghera in 1932 and still very young moves to Paris to study fashion at the ’École des Beaux-Arts and at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. After he works in the Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche ateliers where he begins to know the world of luxury and fashion of which shortly after he will become one of the main protagonists. Having returned to Italy, in 1959 he opens his first atelier in Rome in Via dei Condotti. The following year he meets Giancarlo Giammetti who becomes his business associate and will give a great contribution from a management standpoint making Valentino SpA the fashion giant that we know him to be today. The success of the first collection exhibited in Florence at the Pitti Palace is unmatched: Bogue France dedicates for the first time ever the cover to an Italian stylist.
In a very short time Valentino becomes the designer symbol of elegance and luxury and it is worn by the stars of that time time. In Rome to shoot Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor was among the first to chose his creations; with the actress came to be a bond that lasted throughout their lives. In the movie “The night” (in Italian La Notte) by Michelangelo Antonioni, Monica Vitti wears Valentino; the brand boasts famous clients such as Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy. For the latter he created the wedding gown for the wedding with Aristotele Onassis and their wedding inspired the “White Collection”: in 1968 Valentino presented a completely white collection which has become iconic in the history of fashion.
The true trademark of Valentino is the color red: “red is life, passion, love it is the remedy against sadness. I believe that a woman dressed in red, especially at night, looks wonderful. In the crowd, she is the perfect heroine”, these are the words of the designer to describe the hue that best embodies the essence of the brand. The inspiration came at the Opera of Barcelona, from its lavish atmosphere and elegant guests wearing scarlet gowns. The Valentino red is a trademark and it is is the result of a specific combination of magenta, yellow and black; according to him it is the only color that can compete with black and white. In 1967 Valentino reaches the height of success: he is awarded the Neiman Marcus award, the Oscar of fashion.
To date we can list countless achievements that the designer received over the years, among them there is the Legion of Honor, France’s highest commendation. In 1986 he decides to exhibit his pret-a-porter line in Paris and his Haute couture collection in Rome until 1989 when he decides to host both in the French capital. The Valentino style trascends seasonal trends, it embodies the concept of absolute elegance. The collections boast a flawless tailoring technique and extremely sophisticated fabrics; his creations are conceived to enhance female beauty with sensual, refined and romantic gowns. The last years of his career are documented in the movie “Valentino: The Last Emperor” by Matt Tyrnauer.
In 2007 in fact Valentino Garavani celebrates his 45th anniversary of the brand with a three day celebration in Rome and announces his goodbye to the world of fashion finishing off with a spectacular Haute Couture fashion show. He chooses as successors creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Picciolo, already accessories designer of the Maison. It is to them that we owe the creation of the Rockstud show: a studded décolleté with a classic silhouette, which has become the brand’s bestseller. Since then stufa have become part of the DNA of the brand; decorating any type of accessory they create the perfect mix of finesse and rock, sensuality and modernity. Currently, it is up to Pierpaolo Piccioli alone to carry onward the fashion house’s heritage in the name of the one and only style that since the Maison Valentino came to be has made al of us dream.
Immagine di copertina : vogue