Valentino Petale Tote Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Width: 21.66 in (55 cm)Depth: 7.09 in (18 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:
Valentino Garavani
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Beautiful Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino Garavani evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Louis Vuitton Croissant Gm Monogram Shoulder Bag - '10sBy Louis VuittonLocated in Milano, ITCroissant GM monogram shoulder bag Monogram canvas shoulder bag with cowhide handle. Gold colored hardware, no noticeable scratches. Zip closure. Red velvet interior with two small p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Hobo Bags
- Gucci Exotic Leather Ophidia Crossbody BagBy GucciLocated in Milano, ITThe Ophidia range welcomes a round mini bag in opulent crocodile leather, presented in an elegant lilac color. Crafted from luxurious crocodile leather, this Gucci Ophidia crossbody bag...Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Bourlingue Shoulder BagBy HermèsLocated in Milano, ITHermès' Bourlingue shoulder bag is a handcrafted work of art that embodies the essence of luxury and quality. Made of high-quality green grained leather, the bag features a surface w...Category
1990s Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Red Tweed Flap Bag - '20sBy ChanelLocated in Milano, ITFrom the Chanel Fall/Winter 2021 runway collection, this Chanel flap shoulder bag in tweed material is a limited-edition piece. The chevron pattern on the bag features red and golden...Category
2010s European Shoulder Bags
- Chloe Snakeskin Envelope Bag - '00sBy ChloéLocated in Milano, ITThe Chloe Snakeskin Envelope Bag is a textural masterpiece with a unique combination of grey leather, snakeskin leather, and a bronze ribbon separating th...Category
2010s European Shoulder Bags
- Loewe Bracelet Pouch BagBy LoeweLocated in Milano, ITLoewe's Bracelet Pouch Bag is crafted from pleated, nappa leather in lilac color that transforms into an oversized bracelet with the detachable and adjustable strap. The zip closure ...Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Vanilla Epi Nocturne GM Bag, Compact Wallet and Make Up Bag SetBy Louis VuittonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Louis Vuitton always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. This beautiful bag takes timeless creation...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Gucci Guccissima Gray Leather Indy Top Handle Crossbody Strap BagBy GucciLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Gucci always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. The edgy bag takes timeless creation to a new level of sophistication and charm. Made from the finest materials that you would expect from the Gucci House. A classic Guccissima bag...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Judith Leiber Vintage Silk Crystals Flap 2-Way Clutch Shoulder Tassel BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Judith Leiber always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. This beautiful bag takes timeless creation...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Capucine MM BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBIntroducing the mesmerising fusion of luxury and avant-garde artistry - the Louis Vuitton Capucine MM bag, a stunning collaboration with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Special Order Kelly Sellier 35cm Noir Veau Epsom GHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA gorgeous Hermès Kelly 35cm bag. The exterior of this Special Order Kelly features a sellier style in noir black veau epsom leather. The noir leather is complemented with gold hardw...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Goyard Black Bellechasse Biaude PM BagBy GoyardLocated in London, GBA lovely Bellechasse Biaude PM handbag by Goyard from the Bellechasse Biaude collection. The exterior is crafted in black Decize Taurillon leather & Cervon calfskin leather with pall...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags