On May 11, 1932, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, best known as the designer Valentino, was born in Voghera, Lombardy, in northern Italy. During his primary school years, Valentino discovered a love for fashion, and became apprentice to both his aunt Rosa and Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo, who was aunt of the famous artist Aldo Giorgini. Shortly afterward, Valentino was encouraged by his mother and father to move to Paris to pursue a design career. In Paris, Valentino attended the distinguished fine art school École des Beaux-Arts and at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino furthered his study of design in apprenticeships with influential designers Jaques Fath and Balenciaga, as well as one with Jean Desses, where he sketched dress ideas for Countess Jacqueline de Ribes. Valentino split his time at Jean Desses by sketching feverishly between greeting guests who would arrive for the daily afternoon showing. He left Jean Desses to join the Guy Laroche fashion house, where he stayed for two years. Valentino then returned to Italy, where, with the backing of his father and an associate, he opened his own fashion house in 1960. Valentino’s new fashion house was on the popular and fashionable Via Condotti in Rome. The Valentino fashion house had a grandeur reminiscent of the ones found in Paris, and Valentino even had models flown in from Paris for his first show. In 1962, Valentino made his international debut at the Pitti Palace in Florence, the then fashion capital. This debut show was a success for Valentino, who immediately became inundated with orders from international buyers as well as attention from the press. Increasingly popular was the vibrant shade of red that Valentino used often in his designs, a shade that would later be coined “Valentino Red.” As his star rose, Valentino gained international attention from ladies on the best-dressed lists around the world, including his long-time associate from Paris, Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, and well-known New York socialites Babe Paley and Jayne Wrightsman. In 1964, Valentino’s creations caught the eye of Jacqueline Kennedy, who saw Gloria Schiff (socialite and twin of American Vogue’s editor at the time, Consuelo Crespi) at an event wearing an alluring two-piece outfit made of black organza. Mrs. Kennedy was so enthralled with the fashionable garb that she contacted Ms. Schiff to find out who designed it. Upon learning that it was Valentino, Mrs. Kennedy caught wind of a charity ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, where Valentino was to present one of his collections in September of that same year. As Mrs. Kennedy was unable to attend the ball, Valentino sent a model with a presentation of key collection pieces to her apartment on Fifth Avenue. Mrs. Kennedy ordered six Valentino dresses, all in variations of black and white, to wear while mourning the death of her husband, President John F. Kennedy. She continued on as both customer and friend of Valentino, who would later design her wedding dress for her marriage to famous shipping tycoon, Aristotle Onassis. In 1967, Valentino’s reputation as Italy’s premiere couturier was further cemented upon receipt of the prestigious Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, the equal to an Oscar in the fashion world. As his success mounted, Valentino’s friends and customers included such names as Queen Paola of Belgium, the Begum Aga Khan, Farah Diba, Veruschka, Princess Margaret, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Marella Agnelli, Marisa Berenson and Lee Radziwill. Valentino retired from fashion design in January 2008, with a final haute couture show in Paris that showcased legendary models Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova. His iconic creations are still at the forefront of fashion, in the form of his signature dresses, clothing for both sexes, luxury handbags and jewelry.
Glossy Calfskin 70mm VLogo Reversible Belt 85 34 Brown Pure Red
Condition: Excellent
$715
Vitello Beaded Small Glam Lock Rockstud Flap Black Multicolor
Condition: Very Good
$1,025
PVC Jelly Glitter Rockstud Caged Flat Thong Sandals 40 Oro
Condition: Excellent
$350
Pebbled Calfskin Rockstud Ankle Strap 100mm Pumps 39 Poudre
Condition: Excellent
$745
Metallic Calfskin Paint Splatter Mens Bounce Sneakers 42 Silver
Condition: Very Good
$350
Calfskin Rockstud Ankle Strap 100mm Pumps 39.5 Light Ivory Black
Condition: Excellent
$725
Glossy Calfskin VLogo Reversible 40mm Belt 95 38 Saddle Brown Black
Condition: Very Good
$595
Calfskin Rockstud Double Buckle Beatle Chelsea 70mm Ankle Boots 39 Black
Condition: Very Good
$450
Suede Nylon Camouflage Soul Rockstud Sneakers 45 Black Grey
Condition: Very Good
$325
Nappa Suede Camouflage Womens Rockrunner Sneakers 41 Army Green Multicolor
Condition: Very Good
$295
Pebbled Calfskin Small Rockstud Single Handle Flap Bag Black
Condition: Excellent
$995
Patent Tan-Go 55/155mm Platform Sandals 39.5 Rose Cannelle
Condition: Excellent
$795
Lambskin VLTN Print Medium Rockstud Spike Shoulder Bag Black
Condition: Very Good
$1,595
Smooth Calfskin VLogo Chain Embellished Shoulder Bag Saddle Brown
Condition: Excellent
$1,495
Pebbled Calfskin Mini Rockstud Flip-Lock Messenger Bag Black
Condition: Very Good
$975
Patent Nappa Rockstud Ankle Strap 100mm Pumps 39.5 Purple Poudre
Condition: Very Good
$450
Pebbled Calfskin Rockstud Ankle Strap 100mm Pumps 39.5 Rock Pink
Condition: Excellent
$650
Calfskin Beaded Guitar Strap Rockstud Rolling Hobo Bag Black
Condition: Excellent
$1,895
Patent Nappa Rockstud Ankle Strap 65mm Pumps 36.5 Black Poudre
Condition: Excellent
$725
Metallic Pebbled Calfskin Patent Rockstud Ankle Strap 65mm Pumps 36.5 Sasso
Condition: Excellent
$550
Suede Calfskin Native Couture 1975 Womens Rockrunner Sneakers 38.5 Multicolor
Condition: Very Good
$295
Metallic Pebbled Calfskin Small Rockstud Flip-Lock Messenger Bag Sasso
Condition: Very Good
$895
Grainy Calfskin Small Rockstud Alcove Top-Handle Bag Black
Condition: Excellent
$2,050
Metallic Calfskin Flames Womens Rockstud Open Sneakers 37 White Red
Condition: Excellent
$425
Grained Calfskin Medium Rockstud Double Handle Horizontal Tote Rubin
Condition: Very Good
$795
Metallic Pebbled Calfskin Patent Rockstud Ankle Strap 65mm Pumps 37.5 Sasso
Condition: New
$595
Toile Iconographe Goatskin Le Grand Deuxieme Shoulder Bag Natural Black
Condition: New
$3,695
Toile Iconographe Goatskin Le Grand Deuxieme Shoulder Bag Natural Black
Condition: Excellent
$3,495
Pebbled Calfskin Medium Guitar Strap Rockstud Rolling Flap Saddle Bag Black
Condition: Very Good
$1,150
Nappa Crystal Small Glam Lock Rockstud Flap Black Multicolor
Condition: Very Good
$1,275