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 Boutique Silk Ruffle Neck Blouse 1980s
By Valentino, Valentino Couture
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous black silk charmeuse blouse shirt by Valentino. It buttons on the side front with delicate black faceted glass buttons and is adorned with layers of beautiful gold flower dotted...
Valentino Top Tunique FR36 Ecru Wool and silk Top Cape UK8 US6
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Valentino top or tunic in wool crepe (68%) and silk, round neck closed by a long zip and a hook in the back, rounded bottom, unlined. Size 40IT or FR36 or UK8 and US6. The top is in ...
Valentino MadeInItaly SilkCharmeuse SemiSheerPink Sleeveless Pullover Top, 2010s
By Valentino
Located in Chicago, IL
This Valentino Made In Italy semi-transparent 100% silk charmeuse pink fuchsia raspberry sleeveless pullover top features a low scoop neck in front with wide shoulders and darts for ...
S/S 2001 Valentino Garavani Sheer Beaded Collared Blouse
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Valentino Garavani blouse from the Spring/Summer 2001 collection is cut in a fitted silhouette with a deep plunging V neckline. It is constructed in sheer black mesh with radiat...
Valentinoo SS 2005 Embellished Tulle Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Mentone, CA
This exceptional Valentino piece from the Spring/Summer Ready to Wear 2005 collection represents the pinnacle of luxury craftsmanship. Delicate sheer tulle in scalloped edges forms t...
Valentino Spring 2006 Look 35 Crepe silk floral printed top
By Valentino
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino Spring/Summer 2006 Ready-to-Wear Collection - Look 35 Asymmetric long top in silk crepe printed with a floral motif on a blue background, tie front. Size 12 UK.
Valentino Ivory Silk Blouse
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear silk blouse by Valentino, main line. The blouse is in a heavy silk and hangs beautifully. It has a v neckline with layers /tiers of silk. It has button cuffs...
Valentino Organza Bow Top, SS 2008
By Valentino
Located in Marlborough, GB
Valentino black knit top with silk organza bow, Spring Summer 2008 Stretch fabric in a cotton viscose blend, with two thin shoulder straps and a silk organza layer which sits off the...
Valentino Roma Burnt Orange Top
By Valentino Roma, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A stunning top for Spring /Summer by Valentino Roma ( main line) . The top is in a lovely burnt orange colour, with a drawstring neckline and cap sleaves. 100 % viscose . Made in It...
Valentino Ruffled Cotton Cropped Top
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Ruffled Cotton Cropped Top White top fully crafted from cotton and designed with a cropped silhouette. Featuring sheer lace panelling, ruffled detailing and elasticated, ...
80s Valentino Velvet Burnout Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Valentino Boutique sheer silk top with fuzzy velvet burnout floral detailing. The 'velvet' feels more like a short mohair, it is incredibly soft. The shirt has a gathered turt...
Valentino Silk shirt with beaded embroidery + lace bow belt
By Valentino
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Valentino is an Italian fashion house. A unique silk shirt with exquisite beaded embroidery. Size: 12 (Italian/International). Fits L/XL. Condition: Excellent (good vintage or care...
VALENTION white viscose LACE Short Sleeve Shirt Blouse 40 S
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino sheer short-sleeve round-neck lace top in white viscose (38%), cotton (34%) and polyamide (28%). Lined in white tulle. Keyhole and button clo...
Vintage Valentino Black Cashmere Sweater with Bow
By Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Chic 80s Valentino cashmere blend black sweater with large silk bow. Ruffle sleeve with velvet trim. Fit size US 4
Valentino White Cotton Shirt
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic cotton shirt by Valentino, main line. In a wonderful white cotton , the shirt has a stand up collar with large frill /pleat detail on the front. It has button cuffs and hidden...
VALENTION black silk PUSSY BOW Blouse 40 S
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino long-sleeve plastron collar pussy bow blouse in black silk (100%) and collar and cuffs in white cotton (100%). Opens with cov...
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...
$416Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Polka Dot Red Silk Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Vintage red silk Valentino from the miss V collection with white polkadots. we offer more vintage items, view our frontstore The blouse has two parts at the side for closing, there...
$596Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino 1990s Leopard Animal Print Black Ivory Gold V Cufflinks Silk Blouse
By Valentino
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 90s VALENTINO MS V leopard animal print silk top ! Features black, ivory and gold metallic throughout. Gold V logo cufflinks at each sleeve ...
Tan Valentino Silk Dolman Sleeve Blouse Size IT 42
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Tan silk oversized dolman sleeve blouse by Valentino. 87" bust, 16.5" shoulder width, 32" length.
Valentino silk shirt lace
By Valentino
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Valentino silk shirt lace Valentino silk shirt, lace The lace cuffs on this Valentino Garavani shirt create the illusion of two styles superimposed on each other. It was made in ...
$245Sale Price|56% Off
Valentino Vintage 1990s Women's Pink Silk Sweater Blouse Size 8
By Valentino
Located in Capri, IT
Valentino Boutique Pink Silk Sweater Blouse Totally made in italy still with tags in size 8 Composition: Silk Lining: Cupro and Rayon
1980s Valentino Black Devore Evening Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Valentino black devoré blouse from the 1980s. A floral pattern with a ruched style turtle neckline. Buttons up the back with hooks and snaps at the nape of the neck. Black faceted pl...
Valentino silk shirt lace
By Valentino
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Valentino silk shirt lace size 12 Shoulders: 44 cm / 17.32 in Sleeve Length: 67 cm / 26.38 in Underarm Width: 51 cm / 20.08 in Length: 62 cm / 24.41 in excellent condition
Valentino Ivory Silk Long Sleeve Top w/ Eyelet Detail - 4
By Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Valentino Ivory Silk Long Sleeve Top w/ Eyelet Detail - 4 This beautiful silk top is in excellent condition. The sleeves have a slight peasant s...
Valentino Vintage White and Multi Floral Print Long Top - 10
By Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Valentino Vintage White and Multi Floral Print Long Top - 10 This unique top is in good condition. The top has a v neck and is embellished with two buttons and button holes and one ...
Valentino Italy Silk Charmeuse Peach and Gray Print Blouse US Size 12
By Valentino
Located in University City, MO
Valentino Silk charmeuse peach and gray print blouse The elegant Italian blouse is designed with luminous peach color silk with streaks of gray silk graphics Valentino's V initial...
VALENTINO pink silk FLORAL Short Sleeve Blouse Shirt 40 S
By Valentino, Valentina
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino short-sleeved blouse in lilac, petrol green, petrol blue, red, nude, espresso brown, black, purple and blue floral printed silk (100%). Key hole on the back...
Valentino Red Silk Polkadot Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Vintage red silk Valentino from the miss V collection with white polkadots. We offer more exclusive vintage items, view our frontstore. The blouse has two attached parts on each sid...
Blusa Valentino Miss V vintage anni 80/90.
By Valentino
Located in Carnate, IT
Blusa Valentino Miss V vintage anni 80/90. 100% seta taglia 44 italiana. Nera con fantasia floreale rossa, semitrasparente con fascia elastica in vita. Spalle imbottite 46 cm Manic...
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...
Valentino Womens Panther Jaguar T Shirt Size Large Top Green Black Cotton
By Valentino
Located in Miami, FL
- Black and green exterior - Tagged size L - Made of 100% cotton Condition: The t shirt is in overall great condition with no major imperfections, brand tag is missing M...
$1,500
Valentino silk shirt
By Valentino
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Valentino silk shirt size 12 Shoulders: 42 cm / 16.54 in Sleeve Length: 67 cm / 26.38 in Underarm Width: 52 cm / 20.47 in Length: 54 cm / 21.26 in The condition is excellent
1980s Valentino Blush Rose Silk Lace Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Miami, FL
The most stunning 1980s Valentino blouse in a beautiful blush rose color pink silk in an Argyll print and a lace Peter Pan collar. Matching blush buttons and a tie in the front. Smal...
VALENTINO Boutique A/W 2000 Black Metallic Sequin Knit Scoop Neck Top
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Thiensville, WI
Valentino Boutique Autumn/Winter 2000 black metallic sequin knit scoop neck top designed by Valentino Garavani. Black semi-sheer knit with all over sequin clusters. 3/4 length sleeve...
1980s Valentino Burgundy and White Vertical Stripe Blouse
By Valentino
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Very sweet 1980s Valentino blouse. Deep burgundy and white vertical stripes. Burgundy stripes look like paint strokes and are all slightly different. Demi Peter Pan collar with three...