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.
Valentino Vintage Perfume Pendant Pink Tassel Necklace
By Valentino
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Fabulous vintage Valentino perfume tassel necklace This rare and collectable necklace is made of a bakelite type plastic in a champagne beige color....
Valentino Choker Necklace - '10s
By Valentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elevate your look with the Valentino Choker Necklace. Made from gold plated metal, this choker style necklace features a striking pyramid pendant with textured metal at the center. T...
Valentino Garavani Rare Snake Iridescent Freshwater Pearl Runway Choker Necklace
By Valentino
Located in Nice, FR
VALENTINO GARAVANI rare runway snake choker necklace. The top has a rigid section of two intertwined bronze snakes with green and black stones. A...
Vintage Valentino Tassel Necklace
By Valentino
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Fabulous vintage Valentino perfume necklace This rare and collectible necklace. The cording on the necklace is sturdy and silky feeling. The pendant...
Valentino Logo Perfume Pendant
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Iconic pendant from Valentino in black bakelite decorated with Swarovski crystals, a silk tassel and cord. The 2 "V"s open to reveal a vial of "Valentino" perfume. Elegant and practi...
Valentino necklace by Valentino Garavani Haute Couture circa 1990
By Valentino
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
VALENTINO - A Haute Couture Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Valentino Garavani. Multi-row necklace made of costume pearls, rhinestoned rings, and resin pearls ...
Order 2*2 cm Chic Diamond White 14k Gold Pendant Necklace for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White Gold 14K 2/2 cm Size 45 cm It is our honor to create fine jewelry, and it’s for that reason that we choose to only work with high-quality, enduring materials that can al...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.47 Carat Diamond Star of David Pendant Necklace, 18K Rose Gold, Merkaba
By Tamir
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A refined Star of David necklace in 18K rose gold, set with 0.47 carats of round brilliant diamonds, crafted by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills. Designed as a timeless symbol of faith,...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Natural Tanzanite and Diamond Choker Necklace in 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Natural Tanzanite and Diamond Choker Necklace in 18k White Gold Diamond and Tanzanite Necklace features 17 sections with Oval Natural Tanzanites set with Round Brilliant Diamonds i...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Monumental YSL Leaf Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Monumental YSL Leaf Necklace is a striking, sculptural piece of jewelry that combines the organic beauty of leaves with the luxurious craftsmanship of Yves Saint Laurent. Featuri...
Gold Plate
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Diamond, Ruby & Fancy Color Sapphire Necklace Set 18K
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Red Ruby & Fancy Color Sapphire Necklace Set in 18K & Silver Elegant and Classic Italian style Natural Red Ruby - 39 Carats Natural Multi Color yellow - 8 ...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Tiffany & Co. circa 1880 Classic Colombia Emerald Diamond Pin Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Signed Tiffany & Co. This Scroll Motif Emerald & Diamond Pendant contains a rare AGL Graded 2.85 Carat CLASSIC COLOMBIA Emerald surrounded by approximately 11.8 carats of old mine cut diamonds set in platinum. The pendant is estimated as being circa 1880. It is accompanied by a GIA Certified Natural Salt Water Pearl necklace...
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Ciner Necklace Green Blue & Yellow swarovski Crystal New, Never Worn -1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Large Multicolored Swarovski Crystals on this Stunning Ciner Choker Measuring .25 inches wide x aprrox 16 inches long. This is a Stationery curved choker, does not lay out flat. Matc...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
$345 / item
H 2.34 in W 0.38 in D 0.07 in L 18 in
Shooting Star Pendant Necklace in Sterling with Gemstones
By Martha Seely
Located in Carlisle, MA
The Shooting Star pendant is a celestial, moon-shaped necklace that is made in sterling silver and accented with gemstones. The lunar shape is 2”...
Diamond, Moonstone, Sapphire, Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Certified Red Jade & Diamond Goldfish Pendant, Prosperity & Lucky Jade
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video! In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. This goldfish pendant is amazing and it GLOWS. It is equally good looking from the front as it is from the back. The "red" jade is full of "water". The color of the jade is actually brownish-red but it is referred as "red jade" in the trade. There are 2 certificates for this natural untreated and un-enhanced jadeite. The lines and details of this piece are outstanding. This natural jadeite Jade used...
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Hakimoto 11X12mTahitian South Sea Natural Brown Pearl Necklace 18K Diamond Clasp
By Hakimoto
Located in Hicksville, NY
Hakimoto By Jewel Of Ocean 18KTahitian South Sea Strand Necklace 18K White Gold With Diamond Clasp Weight (g): 76.8 Cultured Tahitian South Sea Pearl Pearl Size: 11X12mm Pearl Sha...
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Certified Natural Multi Color Jade & Agate Pendant Necklace Exquisite Carving
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video. In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. Tricol...
Agate, Jade
Certified Imperial Jade 20 Carats, Pink Tourmaline & Diamond Goldfish Pendant.
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video! In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. This goldfish pendant is amazing and it GLOWS. It is equally good looking from the front as it is from the back. The imperial jade is full of "water". There are 2 certificates for this natural jadeite. The lines and details of this piece are outstanding. This natural imperial jadeite Jade used in this pendant is a highly transparent with excellent green color saturation. The pendant is set in 18k white gold with one heart shaped pink tourmaline 0.51cts and one round brilliant white diamond 0.09cts. The bubble gum pink tourmaline...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Valentino Crystal & Glass Fringed Collar 2000s
By Valentino
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A stunning Valentino Cascade Collar. Crafted in the most gorgeous palette of colours this extraordinary design is a show-stopper and dramatically stylish. Every one of the thousands ...
Valentino Garavani Haute Couture Choker Necklace with Hand Pendant
By Valentino
Located in Atlanta, GA
This fabulous Valentino Garavani Haute Couture choker necklace features a chunky double-strand of large off-white resin beads with a faux-ivory textured pattern, complemented with a ...
Gilt Metal
Valentino Vintage 1980s Beads Pearls Trio Strands Layers Crystals Long, Necklace
By Valentino
Located in Wokingham, England
Valentino Garavani Vintage 1980s Golden Beads Pearls Trio Three 3 Strands Layers Crystals Pendant Long Necklace, Gold Plated Very excellent condition. Maybe some light scratches, ba...
Gold Plate
Valentino Two-Row Costume Pearl Necklace, 1980s
By Valentino
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Valentino - Two-row costume pearl necklace assembled with knots, with a golden metal and rhinestone fastener representing an elephant. Jewelry from the 1980s. Additional information...
Valentino necklace with turquoise paste and crystals
By Valentino
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Vintage Valentino 80s necklace with turquoise paste stones and crystals Gold-colored snap closure with crystals and logo pendant Length 67cm
Sold
W 1.38 in D 0.63 in L 32.75 in
Valentino Night 32" Graduated Gold & Rhinestone Ring Link Long Necklace
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
A lovely eye catching gold and rhinestone set long necklace by Valentino Garavani of Italy. The necklace is graduated with the smallest ring links .75 of an inch in diameter up to th...
Gold Plate
Valentino 1980s Gold Plated Elephant Pendent Statement Necklace
By Valentino
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate Your Style with the Valentino 1980s Gold Plated Elephant Pendant Statement Necklace! Introducing a piece of vintage luxury that's sure to turn heads and capture hearts. The V...
Gold Plate
Valentino vintage chain necklace with stones
By Valentino
Located in Milano, IT
Eccentric chain necklace with Valentino cross branded on the back. The chain has an intricate inlaid design with a clip fastening made of gold-plated metal. The Chain features a pend...
Gilt Metal
Valentino Gold Toned Diamante Link Necklace
By Valentino
Located in New Hope, PA
A stunning Valentino gold toned link necklace is set with faux diamonds. It is in excellent condition and still retains the original box. Measurements;...
Sold
W 3.5 in D 0.63 in L 15.5 in
Valentino 1980s Pearl Necklace with Gold & Rhinestone Flower Center Piece
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Presented is an exceptional 1980s necklace from the the Italian fashion house of Valentino Garavani. Two stands of individually knotted faux glass pearls support the large statement ...
Gold Plate
Signed VALENTINO Designer Black and Golden Link Chain Bib Necklace Italy
By Valentino
Located in Montreal, QC
Signed Valentino Designer Black and Golden Chain Links make up this Awesome Iconic Bib Necklace. Approx. 16" long with a hook style clasp and extend...
Gold Plate
Valentino 1990s Necklace with Rhinestone V Pendant
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
A lovely and versatile 18K gold plate necklace with rhinestone accent from the fashion house of Valentino. The curb link style chain is .25 of an inch wide. The central focal point is the gold V for...
Gold Plate