9. Valentino (1960)
Valentino Garavani was born in Voghera, Italy, in 1932. One of the most successful designers became interested in fashion in primary school. He apprenticed under his aunt Rosa and local designer Ernestina Salvadeo.
Valentino studied French and fashion design at Milan’s Accademia dell’Arte before moving to Paris to Perfect his technique at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Before founding his own business in 1960 he worked with Jean Dessès and Princess Irene Galitzine at Guy Laroche.
His 1968 White collection made his name. After that, he dressed Jacqueline Kennedy for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis and also the legendary Elizabeth Taylor’s dress for her 8th wedding. Taylor’s wedding dress had a plunging lace neckline and woven ribboned waist.
When you hear “Valentino” you automatically think of the colour red. His signature colour was described by art historian Federico Zeri as “Not cardinal red, not tango red, but Valentino red.”
