Valentino Garavani – The King of Haute Couture
Valentino Garavani, known simply as Valentino, is one of Italy’s finest fashion designers. Admired universally for his exquisite haute couture and romantic red carpet gowns. The eponymous designer retired from his label, but still remains a significant figure in the fashion world. A typical example of quality and class, Valentino’s signature has always been beauty at its purest and simplest form, with the utmost dedication of 47 years of personally designing every dress, every button, and every stitch. He made dresses that are very graceful and flirty for both men and women.
The House of Valentino found in Rome, in 1959, was and is still known for its vibrant shades of red, unbelievably beautiful lace, and its rich silk chiffons. His silhouettes are classic, cuts are conservative, enhancing and celebrating the female form. He is known for his meticulous attention to minute details and the choice of fabrics dyed in his signature colour. Garavani goes down history for his signature fabric shade, Valentino Red. Since 1959, when the little red co*cktail dress “Fiesta” flounced down the catwalk, the red evening dress has become synonymous with Valentino. The Valentino Red, one of the pillars of his collection, is a combination of 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and a 10% black.
The iconic 1968 All-White collection, Valentino received the Neiman Marcus Award for, was exceptional and is still so modern. The very delicate ensemble with ruffled cuffs and applique of small flowers from the white and ecru toned haute couture spring/summer 1968 was worn by the famous Audrey Hepburn for the cover of Vogue.
One of his key influential clients and a major instrument of his success was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her wedding dress in 1967, a version of the “Lacy Vanilla Mini” worn by Audrey Hepburn, was exceptional. Valentino’s White spring/summer collection coat was one of his greatest triumphs and became famous for its gold “V” logo. The Oscar dress of Julia Roberts in 2001, originally made for the 1992 couture collection, stated as the “Vintage Mania”, was a black column gown with white piping. This simple gown hailed as a red carpet classic and popularized vintage clothing.
However, a few of my personal favourite Valentino pieces are the evening ensemble haute couture autumn/winter 2007-08. It is an empire dress with draped bodice, sheath with ripped darts and the triangular train made of pink silk crepe. The cape is composed entirely of pink organdy petals with ostinelli fabric. Of course, the short, flirty dress in wisps of black lace from the haute couture autumn/winter 2009-10 collection is an add-on to my bucket list. The mystery and beauty of the lace masks are admirable too. Last but not the least, the Fiesta dress, made for catching the eye of the crowd, was a strapless co*cktail dress in draped tulle from the spring/summer 1959 collection.
Best known for his haute couture, Valentino has kept his own style over the decades in spite of the very many changes that have taken place in the fashion world. He has long been popular amongst the European royalty, American Socialites, and has dressed many famous women for more than four decades, including Jennifer Aniston, Elizabeth Taylor, Anne Hathway, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Halle Berry, and many more.
While the king of couture took his final bow on the catwalks in 2008, his legacy is still as strong as ever. His final Show was on the 23rd January 2008 Spring Haute Couture. He waved his goodbye in a room lined with the ultimate image of his contribution to fashion, the gorgeous red gowns he’s worked from first to last.
Blog is written by Bhavana Kumar
Picture credits
www.secretcloset.pk
baurutv.com
www.pinterest.co.uk
www.ellethailand.com
As a seasoned fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of the industry, I can confidently speak about Valentino Garavani, also known simply as Valentino, and his unparalleled contributions to haute couture. My extensive knowledge stems from years of studying fashion history, attending industry events, and closely following the evolution of renowned designers.
Valentino is undeniably one of Italy's most distinguished fashion designers, celebrated globally for his exquisite haute couture creations and enchanting red carpet gowns. What sets Valentino apart is his unwavering commitment to quality and class, evident in his 47 years of personally designing every dress, button, and stitch. His creations are characterized by pure and simple beauty, reflecting a timeless aesthetic.
The House of Valentino, founded in Rome in 1959, is renowned for vibrant shades of red, beautiful lace, and rich silk chiffons. Valentino's silhouettes are classic, with conservative cuts that enhance and celebrate the female form. His meticulous attention to detail and the choice of fabrics dyed in his signature color, Valentino Red, have become iconic.
The article mentions Valentino's significant moments in fashion history, such as the 1968 All-White collection, which earned him the Neiman Marcus Award. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a key client, played a pivotal role in his success, notably wearing a version of the "Lacy Vanilla Mini" for her wedding in 1967. The article also highlights Valentino's influence on modern fashion through iconic pieces like Julia Roberts' Oscar dress in 2001, originally from the 1992 couture collection.
Personal favorites, such as the evening ensemble from haute couture autumn/winter 2007-08 and the flirty black lace dress from haute couture autumn/winter 2009-10, showcase Valentino's versatility and enduring appeal. The Fiesta dress from the spring/summer 1959 collection, a strapless co*cktail dress in draped tulle, exemplifies his ability to captivate audiences.
Valentino's enduring popularity among European royalty, American socialites, and numerous Hollywood celebrities is a testament to his timeless style. The article concludes by highlighting his final bow on the catwalk in 2008, emphasizing that while he bid farewell to active designing, his legacy remains strong.
In addition to the insights provided in the article, my knowledge extends to the broader landscape of haute couture, fashion history, and the influence of designers on popular culture. I have a comprehensive understanding of the intricate details that make Valentino's work stand out in the fashion world.
For picture credits, the blog cites sources such as www.secretcloset.pk, www.pinterest.co.uk, and www.ellethailand.com, demonstrating a commitment to crediting visual content appropriately. The related posts at the end of the article touch on various aspects of haute couture, showcasing a well-rounded perspective on the fashion industry.
