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 shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
Rare Authentic Valentino Haute Couture Jeweled Runway Oval Cuff Bracelet
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One-of-a-kind Valentino hand crafted cuff made for the 2001 Valentino Haute Couture S/S runway show (see photos of model wearing on each arm). This bracelet is the actual one worn o...
Rare Authentic Valentino Haute Couture Runway Jeweled Square Cuff Bracelet
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One-of-a-kind Valentino hand crafted cuff made for the 2001 S/S Valentino Couture runway show (see photos of model wearing on each arm). These bracelets are the actual ones worn on ...
Solid White Gold Cuff Bracelet with Diamonds by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
An elevated take on a jewellery basic, our slim cuff in 9-carat white gold has slightly pointed beveled edges and two sparkling white diamonds. Total diamond carat weight .016 carats...
White Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold
Solid Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet with Diamonds by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
An elevated take on a jewellery basic, our 2mm-square cuff in 9-carat yellow gold has square beveled edges and two white diamonds. Total diamond carat weight .016 carats. The brace...
White Diamond, Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
$38,800Sale Price|20% Off
Syna Yellow Gold Cuff Diamond Bracelet
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18kyg Diamond 7.50 carats approx. Open cuff bracelet About the Designers ~ Dharmesh & Namrata Drawing inspiration from little things, Dharmesh & Namrata Kothari have c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tri-Color Round Diamond Bangle Bracelet 14 Kt White Yellow Rose Gold 2.00 Tcw
Located in San Diego, CA
Tri-Color Round Diamonds Bangle Bracelet Style: Tri-Color Bangle Bracelet Metal: 14kt White Yellow Rose Gold Size: Small Width: 10 MM at widest point Measurements: 2.25 X 2 inches -...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,074
H 0.12 in W 0.79 in D 0.08 in Dm 2.76 in
18K Gold Blue Sapphires Aquamarine Twisted Bangle Modern Flower Design Bracelet
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Introducing the exquisite Rossella Ugolini Design Collection, presenting a true masterpiece of jewelry craftsmanship - the handcrafted and hammered 18 Karats Yellow Gold Aquamarine B...
Aquamarine, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
$59,400Sale Price|25% Off
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Notre Dame Rock Crystal Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal is a luminous alternative to diamonds. David Webb loved pearls and thought they should be "as big as lima beans." The Twilight Collection exude...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Diamonds and 18 Kt Yellow Gold X O Bangle Bracelet
Located in Cattolica, IT
A very sophisticated bangle bracelet made in 18 Kt yellow gold. The wire of which it is composed has a 2mm diameter that makes it strong and extremely safe to wear. The X O design is...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Solid Rose Gold Cuff Bracelet with Black Diamonds by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
An elevated take on a jewellery basic, our 2mm-square cuff in 9-carat rose gold has slightly pointed beveled edges and two black diamonds. Total diamond carat weight .016 carats. The...
Black Diamond, Rose Gold
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Double Head Pantheres in Black Enamel Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
A maker who stands unequaled in his bold use of colored enamel and love of animal motifs, David Webb’s creations offer a playful escape from the everyday. His strikingly imaginative designs filled with eye-catching geometric elements and remarkable use of color quickly became the favorite amongst celebrities and fashion aficionados alike. Designed as an articulated hinged bangle, the two opposing black enamel panthers, with bezel-set ruby eyes and a circular-cut diamond nose and collar, holding a circular-cut diamond hoop in their teeth, their white enamel bodies decorated with sculpted 18k gold stripes and spots, mounted in 18k gold and platinum, wrist size 6.25 inches. A skilled jeweler as well as an innovative designer, Webb often worked closely with the production of his pieces. With extreme attention to detail and devotion to the quality of his work, Webb’s creations form a unique marriage of fashion and luxury. The designer’s signature style, often contrasting enamel and both precious and semi-precious gemstones, remains unmistakable. Webb was fond of using enamel to add color to his designs. Enamel is a decorative coating applied to a metal; and in Webb’s case, his metal of choice was usually yellow gold. The contrast of bright yellow gold with his enamel detailing creates a bold look that is quintessential Webb. Perhaps the jewelry that Webb is most known for are his wide-ranging collection of animal bracelets, brooches and pins. Animals are common in jewelry everywhere, but nobody does animals like David Webb; the first of David Webb’s animal...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$31,600Sale Price|20% Off
David Webb Bypass 18K Yellow Gold Fluted Crossover Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Adorn yourself with the timeless elegance of the David Webb Bypass 18K Yellow Gold Fluted Crossover Bracelet, a masterpiece that reflects the brand's iconic craftsmanship and design ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Green Enamel, Diamond and Ruby Frog Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous David Webb Frog bracelet is amazing and for a smaller wrist. Made in 18 kt., the stylized frog with braided legs applied all ov...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Enamel
David Webb Leopard 18 Karat Yellow Gold Spotted Bangle Diamond Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Yellow Gold Leopard designed as a twisted bangle bracelet, decorated with black enamel spots, cabochon emerald eyes, and pavé-set diamonds. The...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Valentino Jeweled and Pink-Coral Enamel Bracelet Bangle
By Valentino
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mesmerizing Valentino Garavani jeweled bracelet bangle. Gilt metal bangle shape ornate with tiny crystal rhinestones and pink-coral enamel. The bracelet is also complimented with pou...
Gilt Metal, Enamel