Born 1932 in Voghera, in the province of Pavia, Lombardy, Italy, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, known mononymously as Valentino, is an Italian fashion designer, the founder of the Valentino brand and company. His main lines include Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino.
Fashion designs in the 1960s and ’70s by Valentino
Valentino became interested in fashion while in primary school in his native Voghera, when he apprenticed under his aunt Rosa and local designer Ernestina Salvadeo, an aunt of noted artist Aldo Giorgini. His international debut took place in 1962 in Florence, the Italian fashion capital of the time.
Throughout the 1970s, Valentino’s womenswear for both couture and ready-to-wear generally followed the trends of the time, opening the decade with an emphasis on midiskirts worn over miniskirts, fitted, knee-high boots, trousers, and some ethnic looks, mostly with a fit-and-flare silhouette.
On 4 September 2007, Valentino announced that he would retire fully in January 2008 from the world stage after his last haute couture show in Paris. He delivered his last women’s ready-to-wear show in Paris on 4 October.
In 2006, Valentino appeared in a cameo role, as himself, in the hit movie The Devil Wears Prada. On 6 July 2006, France’s President Chirac awarded Valentino the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur. Take a look at these stunning photos to see some of his fashion designs in the 1960s and 1970s.
Ivana Bastianello in coral print satin tunic worn over red crepe pants by Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1960s
Mirella Petteni in coat by Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1960s
Mirella Petteni in Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1960s
Model in red wool suit, jacket has diagonal pockets and flaps by the shirt style collar, worn with leopard print hat by Valentino of Rome for his 1964-65 Autumn/Winter collection
Virna Lisi (wearing a wool coat by Valentino, of his couture collection for the Autumn/Winter 1964/65, and a Van Cleef “butterfly” brooch) photographed during a press conference in New York, 1965
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