Valentino was born in the Italian city of Voghera in 1932. Showing interest in fashion while studying in high school, at age 17, he began his studies at the School of Fine Arts and the Syndicate of High Fashion in Paris.
Having worked for 5 years as an assistant in the fashion houses Balenciaga, Jean Dess and Guy Laroche in 1960, Valentino returned to Italy with the intention of putting an end to the undivided domination of the French couturier. In Rome, there is its meeting with the future business partner Giancarlo Dzhammetti who, having entrepreneurial talent and taking on many responsibilities, made it possible to master fully focus on creativity. Cooperation Dzhammetti Garavani and in the future has brought excellent results, through the creation of a truly international empire: boutiques in Europe, USA and Japan Fashion Academy in Rome, designed for the presentation of art exhibitions.
The very first collection of Valentino, presented in 1962 in Florence, at the time was the capital of Italian fashion, has caused great public interest. Valentino became famous for its red dress, bright shade which was called "Red Valentino". Among the many foreign buyers, among the first on the talent of the young wizard noticed Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. In 1964, Jacqueline orders from the master several dresses black and white colors of the new collection to wear them during the annual mourning for slain wife. Soon Valentino creates for her gorgeous lace mini-dress for the wedding ceremony with Aristotle Onassis.
As women's and men's pret-a-porter "Valentino" become a symbol of femininity and luxury living, its sumptuous costumes and dresses are still a fixture of Oscar parties and stellar wedding ceremonies.
In 1998 Valentino sold his fashion empire largest Italian holding Partecipazioni Industriali, created on its basis a new group of companies for the production of luxury goods. In 2002, the company bought the holding company Marzotto, which also includes labels Hugo Boss, Marlboro Classic, Gian franco Ferre Studio and M Missoni. Master continued to work in the fashion house founded by him until the end of employment.
Showing his latest collection of women's Ready-to-wear took place in Paris, October 4, 2007.
Such components of corporate identity designer as thorough treatment of details, gorgeous embroidery, elegant cut became symbols of Italian fashion. During the whole of his career, Maestro, famous for his passion for the fatal red color in their collections paid homage to femininity and sensuality of women emphasized.