Better known as simply Valentino, Valentino Garavani is one of the biggest brands in fashion over the last 40 years, and though he is best known for creating some of the globe s most elegant eveningwear, his range of perfumes and aftershaves are just as well known and well recieved.
A boyhood fascination with fashion, art and architecture, led Valentino, born in Voghera, Italy, in May 1932, to read fasion design and French at the Accademia dell Arte in Milan.
After graduating from that imperious establishment, he then continued his education at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, and it was there that the young man blossomed.
He moved to Paris to continue his studies, where he developed a love of French theatre, and while still a student, was honoured with an award later won by both Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld from the International Wool Secretariat.
With this award came the attentions of couturier Jean Desses, and it was with he that Valentino took his first design job in 1950.
After five years service for Desses, an ambitious Valentino moved on in his career to join Guy Laroche, and one of his most prestigious duties whilst there was in assisting Princess Irene Galitzine, the Russian-Georgian-born fashion designer.
