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Valentino

Italian, b. 1932

The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. 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 shoessunglassesscarves and perfume. 

Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.

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Designer: Valentino
Dealer: Modes and More
Vintage Valentino Miss V Multicolour Silk Blouse with Interesting Collar.
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A wonderful vintage silk blouse by Valentino , Miss V line. The blouse is in a great mix of colours , blue, grey and yellow and has an interesting collar design. It is in a super sof...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Valentino Roma Silk Knit Cardigan
By Valentino Roma, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic , and easy to wear silk knit cardigan by Valentino Roma, with matching vest top. The cardigan is in silk and lycra mix knit with a attached black...
Category

Early 2000s Valentino

Vintage Valentino Animal Print Silk Blouse
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear vintage silk blouse from Valentino. The blouse is in an attractive animal print and has a button back, single button cuff, and fold at the front. Italian size...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Black Silk Valentino Blouse
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic black silk Valentino silk blouse , Valentino Night range. The blouse has a 4 button back ( and zip ) opening. The sleaves are tapered wi...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Pink Silk Blouse
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A pretty pink textured silk blouse by Valentino, Valentino Boutique. The blouse has a round neckline, with pleats on the front. The sleaves are tapered with zip openings. It has slit...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Wool Jacket
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A great vintage jacket for Fall / Winter by Valentino, Miss V. The jacket has a cut away collar, a four button front opening, four pockets and a two button cuff. It is fully lined. ...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Valentino Roma Ink Black Cocktail Dress
By Valentino Roma, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic cocktail dress by Valentino Roma/ main line. The dress has a black upper area , with the skirt area in a wonderful heavy blue /black lace with a scallop hem. Measurements :Bus...
Category

2010s Valentino

Vintage Valentino Roma Soft Gold Cocktail Dress
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic cocktail dress by Valentino Roma.The dress is in a soft gold fabric with silk lining in the bust area and linen like fabric for the body.The dress has 3 bows on the bodice ar...
Category

1990s Italian Valentino

Valentino Roma Black Lace Skirt
By Valentino Roma, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A pretty skirt for summer by Valentino Roma. The skirt is in an attractive heavy black lace with a pale pink lining and central back zip opening. Size 44 /8 Measurements: waist 31''...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Black Wool Skirt
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage skirt by Valentino. The skirt is in a black wool crepe, with black velvet detail on the front and hem. The skirt has a central back zip and pockets on both sides.
Category

1970s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Brown Silk Blouse
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A vintage silk blouse by Valentino, Valentino Boutique line. This top has a v neckline, 4 button opening at the front and two button cuffs. It has two breast pockets, and small shou...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Silk Cami Top
By REDValentino, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A pretty vintage silk top by Valentino , Red line. The top is in a pretty silk floral print with lace detail at the front. It has a zip opening at the back and spagetti straps.
Category

Early 2000s Valentino

Vintage Valentino Jacket Polka Dot
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
An elegant green polka dot jacket by Valentino, Boutique line. The jacket is made of wool crepe and lined in silk. It has a v neckline and a three square button fastening at the bott...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino White Linen Blouse
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A white linen blouse by Valentino, Boutique line. The blouse has a round neckline, with off centre opening with three buttons. It has single button cuff...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Blue and White Valentino Top with Detachable Collar
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic blue and white top by Valentino with detachable white collar. The top is blue with white horizontal stripe and has a detachable blue and white detachable collar...
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

A Vintage navy nautical style cotton day dress by Valentino
By Valentino Roma, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic dress by Valentino, main line. The dress is in a blue cotton with spagetti straps. The dress has ribbon detail over the bust area.It is fully lined , with a central back zip.
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

A Vintage 1990s navy polka dot silk blouse by Valentino
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
Located in London, GB
A chic silk blouse by Valentino. The blouse has long sleeves with a single button cuff, and a button opening at the back. The silk has blue dots in the background with yellow and wh...
Category

1990s Italian Valentino

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A French Brocaded Satin Silk Evening Jacket Circa 1930/1950
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A French Brocaded Satin Silk Evening Jacket Circa 1930/1950
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A Chanel Blouse in Printed Silk Numbered 46641 Circa 1970
By Chanel
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1971 France Rare Chanel Haute Couture short blouse in printed silk, probably dating from the end of the Gabrielle Chanel period who died in 1971. Superb silk pekin alternating translucent crepe and satin bands. Print of stylized flowers and Fuschia Rose foliage on a white background in Art Deco style. Nice work of pleats using the horizontal satin bands. Buttoning on the back masked by a tab (buttons, snaps and hooks). Small shawl collar that elegantly ties at the front. Long, slightly puffed sleeves and tabs on the wrists adorned with four Chanel Brass buttons. Cream silk crepe lining and underarm cleanliness protection. Label Chanel woven and handwritten cotton bolduc on the back indicating 4661. All finishing seams are handmade. Note very light halos only...
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1970s French Valentino

A Chanel Blouse in Printed Silk Numbered 46641 Circa 1970
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YOHJI YAMAMOTO cream beige 100% wool rolled edge wide sleeve sweater M
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Hong Kong, NT
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Tom Ford for Gucci F/W 2003 Cognac Color Leather Fur Corset Jacket 38
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
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Very Rare to Find Tom Ford for Gucci Leather Fur Corset Jacket F/W 2003 Collection Designer size - 38 Cognac Color Soft Leather, Beaver Fur, Detachable Cor...
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Early 2000s Italian Valentino

Gianni Versace "Native American" Print Silk Shirt
By Gianni Versace, Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A very rare true piece of wearable art created by Gianni Versace, circa 1993. A beautiful Gianni Versace Silk Print in excellent condition, the "Nat...
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1990s Italian Valentino

Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Black Lace and Silk Ribbon Blouse, FW 2002
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Yves Saint Laurent ▪ Creative Director: Tom Ford ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2002 ▪ Fabric: 80% Rayon, 20% Polyamide ▪ Size: FR42 - UK14 - US10 ▪ Made in: Italy ▪ Condition: ...
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Early 2000s Italian Valentino

1990s Moschino Cheap & Chic Animal Print Vintage 90s Silk Short Sleeve Top
By Moschino
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage MOSCHINO Cheap & Chic silk animal print blouse! Features leopard, zebra, cheetah, and tiger prints throughout. Warm colors of brown, ivory, trimmed with black lace....
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1990s Italian Valentino

Vintage 1980s Silky Polyester Bow Blouse Top Brown Geometric Print Size 6/8
Located in Atlanta, GA
Wonderful vintage 1980s silky polyester pussy bow blouse with attached scarf-bow. Vibrant tortilla brown color fabric with geometric checkerboard tone-to-tone motif pattern. There is...
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1980s French Valentino

YSL Black Lace & Cotton Strapless Bustier Top w/ Grograin Trim - 44 - 60s-70s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
YSL Black Lace & Cotton Strapless Bustier Top w/ Grograin Trim - 44 - 60's-70's. This sexy vintage top is in excellent vintage condition. It fe...
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Moschino Jeans 1990s Gold Lame Sexy Cut Out Vintage 90s Sleeveless Top Shirt
By Moschino
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy 1990s MOSCHINO gold cut-out spaghetti strap top! Features slinky gold metallic lame jersey. Mock buttons at top center bust, with cut-out detail below the bust. Elastic waistban...
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Previously Available Items
Valentino Lilac Cocktail Dress
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A pretty and chic lilac cocktail dress by Valentino, main line. The dress is in a silk mix, with a round neckline, central back zip and faux belt detail at the waist. The dress has ...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Valentino

Vintage Valentino Boutique Burgundy Velvet Top
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A lovely vintage velvet top by Valentino , Boutique line. The top has a zip central back opening, and is fully lined. There are two buttons on each cuff, and a deep rib band of 15'...
Category

1970s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Navy Blue Jacket
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A great vintage wool jacket by Valentino, Miss V line. The jacket has a four button opening, elastic gathering on both sides and is fully lined.
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Navy Blue Jacket
Vintage Valentino Navy Blue Jacket
Size: Italian 44 /UK 10
Vintage Valentino Jumper
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A great jumper by Valentino . The jumper has steel blue ribbing at the neck, an ivory background and mutlicolour loop detail. it will fit a bust up to 42'', but is best worn a littl...
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1990s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Silk Scarf
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A vintage silk scarf by Valentino is blue , grey and gold.
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1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Trouser Suit
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A warm and chic trouser suit by Valentino. The jacket has a front button opening, wonderful sleeves and two front pockets. The trousers have a front zip opening , two pockets and ar...
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1980s Italian Valentino

Valentino Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, 1980s
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A great pair of sunglasses by Italian fashion house Valentino. In wonderful shades of brown, with wide arms these glasses are a chic addition to any wardrobe. On the inside of the ri...
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Late 20th Century Italian Valentino

Valentino Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, 1980s
Valentino Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, 1980s
H 2.37 in W 5.91 in D 5.52 in
Pink Jacket by Valentino
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A great jacket for Spring, by Valentino - Red line. In a stand out pink with a wonderful lining (black background with pink and red petal print), this jacket has two pockets at hip l...
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1990s Valentino

Pink Jacket by Valentino
Pink Jacket by Valentino
Size: Italian 42
Valentino Pale Green Silk Cotton Jacket
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic jacket for Spring by Valentino, Roma. The jacket is in a pale green and the fabric is a silk and cotton mix with wonderful seam detail.
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Brown Silk Top
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic top by Valentino, Miss V line. The top is in a brown quilted silk and has a v neckline with 3 button front opening and one button on the cuffs. It has two breast pockets.
Category

1980s Italian Valentino

A vintage 1990s Valentino Silk and Lace Blouse
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A very pretty blouse by Italian star,Valentino.This blouse is made of an ivory silk with white silk tufts,and pale yellow lace. It has a lace trim around the cuffs, neck and shoulder...
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2010s Italian Valentino

Vintage Valentino Chartreuse Jacket
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic chartreuse colour jacket by Italian fashion house Valentino. This jacket has spot detail on the fabric. The jacket has short sleeves with turn up cuffs, a breast pocket on the...
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1980s Italian Valentino

Valentino fashion for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Valentino fashion available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of red, pink, blue and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Fendi, Moschino, and Prada appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Valentino fashion from top boutiques around the world. Valentino fashion prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $74 and tops out at $28,995, while the average work can sell for $637.
Questions About Valentino
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    No, REDValentino and Valentino are not exactly the same. Both luxury fashion lines have been under the umbrella of the Italian house of Valentino, but they are distinct from one another. Valentino is the main luxury collection, while REDValentino was a diffusion line launched in 2003 to produce fashions that appeal to a younger demographic of women. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Valentino apparel and accessories.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Valentino, the Italian luxury brand, is 61 years old and was founded in 1960. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavan, the founder of Valentino, is 89 years old and was born 1932. Valentino clothing and accessories are available directly through Valentino’s website or boutiques as well as through selected authorized sellers, such as 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    No, Mario Valentino is not the same as Valentino — Mario Valentino was a Naples, Italy-born shoe designer who eventually expanded his offerings to include handbags, jackets and other apparel in the 1960s, while Valentino Garavani, who is mostly known simply as “Valentino,” is a fashion designer originally from Lombardy, Italy. Other than the Valentino line, the latter’s collections include Valentino Roma, R.E.D. Valentino and more.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    No, Valentino and Valentino Garavani are not exactly the same. Valentino is the name of an Italian luxury fashion house. The maker offers both couture and ready-to-wear apparel and accessories under the Valentino label. Valentino Garavani is a diffusion brand offered by Valentino. Its focus is mostly on shoes, handbags and small leather goods. Shop a variety of Valentino apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Valentino was founded in 1960. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani established the Italian fashion house in Rome. 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. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Valentino apparel and accessories.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Valentino Garavani is known mononymously as Valentino. He is the Italian fashion designer and founder of Valentino, a high-fashion luxury brand which makes haute couture and ready-to-wear fashions. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Valentino pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    What Valentino Red is depends on the context. If it's referring to the color of the garment, the term is the name for a proprietary shade of red that is recognized by Pantone and is a blend of 100% yellow, 100% magenta and 10% black. Red Valentino is also the name of a diffusion line produced by the luxury fashion house of Valentino. The focus of the label is on contemporary, accessibly priced clothing and accessories. Shop a diverse assortment of Valentino pieces on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    Valentino is known for a few things. 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 the "V" trademark. The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway. Founder Valentino Garavani is famous for his womenswear featuring romantic styles and feminine shapes. 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. They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even, when needed, wedding dresses. Shop a collection of Valentino apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The difference between Valentino Garavani and Mario Valentino is that they are two distinct designers who are not affiliated with each other. Valentino Garavani founded the Italian luxury fashion house of Valentino in Rome in 1960. Mario Valentino established his eponymous brand, Mario Valentino, in Naples, Italy, in 1952.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    No, Valentino is not a French brand. The luxury fashion house is actually Italian, operating out of its headquarters in Milan. Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani established his eponymous fashion brand in Rome, Italy, in 1960. Explore a diverse assortment of Valentino apparel and accessories from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    Who the real Valentino designer is depends on the context, because two designers share the same name. The first is Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, who founded the Italian luxury fashion house in 1960. 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. The second is Mario Valentino, who launched his own eponymous label in 1952. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Valentino and Mario Valentino apparel and accessories.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To determine whether your Valentino shoes are fake, first look at the box they came in. A genuine Valentino box has a linen texture with the brand name embossed in red. Check the stitching on the tag sewn into the interior of the shoe, which should be neat and even. The brand font is crisp, and the sole under the tag is flat, not puffed up. Genuine Valentino does have a serial number that’s the same color as the hardware, while a fake pair will typically have no serial number at all. Shop a collection of authentic Valentino footwear from trusted sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    Yes, Mario Valentino is a luxury brand. The Italian luxury fashion house has earned a reputation for working with fine materials, such as Italian leather and silk, for its clothing, bags and accessories. In addition, Mario Valentino offers custom design services, fitting the definition of a luxury couture maison. Find a diverse assortment of Mario Valentino apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are a few tell-tale signs you can look for to determine whether your Valentino handbag is real or fake. Authentic Valentino purses will have the same print in the logo as the rivet color, silver with silver and gold with gold. The inner logo inside of the bag will be centered on a red patch and all four sides will be sewn down. Newer bags will also have a serial number that is often found in an inner pocket. Shop a collection of authentic Valentino purses from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

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