Designer Day: Valentino Garavani

Valentino Garavani was born May 11th 1932 in Voghera, Italy. That would make him 78 years old. He is an Italian fashion designer. His main lines include: Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino.

Valentino became interested in fashion when he was in elementary school. Later, he apprenticed with a local designer by the name of Ernestina Salvadeo. He moved to Paris to pursue his fashion dream and studied at École des Beaux-Arts and Chambre Syndicate de la Couture Parisienne. The recently graduated Valentino wanted to have an apprenticeship with either Jacques Fath or Balenciaga, but later settled for one with Jean Desses where he helped sketch dress ideas.

Five years later Valentino left Jean Desses and returned to Italy to set up a fashion house in Rome. After a fashion show or two, Valentino became known for his red dresses, the popular shade becoming known as "Valentino Red".

Valentino Red

July 31, 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti in the Café de Paris. Giammetti gave Valentino a ride home in his Fiat and they became good friends and eventually partners. Later on, Giammetti came on board to direct the business part of Valentino's fashion house. 

Valentino's big break was in 1962 in Florence, which at the time, was the fashion capital of Italy. His first show was at Pitti Palace, it was "welcomed as a true revelation" getting him a lot of recognition in the fashion world as well as his clothing becoming high in demand. 

In 1966 Valentino moved his shows from Florence to Rome. Two years later his all-white collection was a major success and became famous for the "V" logo Valentino had created. In 1967 Valentino received the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award (the equivalent of an Oscar) and already had several famous celebrities for customers as well as close friends. 

In 2006 Valentino appeared as himself on the film The Devil Wears Prada starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. This included a behind the scenes interview on the DVD.

In September 2007 Valentino announced that he would be officially retiring in January of 2008 and had his last show October 4th 2007. Valentino has 6 pugs: Molly (the mother), Milton and Monty (the sons), and Margot, Maude, and Maggie (the daughters). 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentino_Garavani