Valentino Garavani was born in Voghera, north of Milan on May 11, 1932. From the early age he showed passion for art and design. At 17, after taking some courses of fashion design and French, he moved to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. His apprentice jobs included working with the Fashion Houses of Jean Desses and Guy Laroche.
In 1959 he returned to Rome to open a small atelier and in 1960 he opened one in Via Condotti, where he was discovered by Hollywood stars, who used to come to Rome during the years of the Dolce Vita, and began to be called the Golden Boy of Italian couture. Valentino had his international debut in 1962 in Florence and got an ardent approval from foreign buyers and press. By 1965 Valentino has already dressed a host of A-list stars and established himself as the leader of Italian fashion. In 1967 he received in Dallas, Texas the Neiman Marcus Award, equivalent to the Fashion Oscar, for his "no colour" collection. Next year he opened his first pret-a-porter in Milan. At the end of the 60s, Valentino took a partner, architect student Giancarlo Giannetti, who abandoned his studies to work with the famous designer and bring the house worldwide expansion and success.
His famous clients include Joan Collins, Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Diana, Gloria Guinness, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren. Jacqueline Kennedy wore Valentino dress when she married Aristotle Onassis.
Valentino made the bride's wedding gown as well as 62 outfits for family members and guests for the wedding of Marie Chantal Miller and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer married English film producer Matthew Vaughn in an ivory silk bridal gown created by the Italian designer. Jennifer Lopez was another celebrity who donned a Valentino wedding gown for her big day in 2001.
Valentino also has children's line and line for younger people, called Oliver.
In 1998, Valentino sold his company for $ 300 million to Holding di Partecipazioni Industriali which then sold it to another Italian luxury goods company, Marzotto. He said he did it because he wants the Valentino name to continue even after him and decided to remain as designer only.
Since 1990 Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti support AIDS related patients through their L.I.F.E. association, which benefits from the activities of the Accademia Valentino.
Valentino, who has been making dresses for over 40 years says: "I am a romantic designer. I like women flirting and seducing men. The bias cut gives a certain sexiness without being too showy or too fitted."