The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Beautiful 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 Garavani evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
Valentino Garavani 1990s Vintage Silk Scarf Women's Square Foulard
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a beautiful, classic Valentino silk scarf dating from the 1990s, a period when the brand, under founder Valentino Garavani, was celebrated for its dramatic flair and luxuriou...
Valentino Garavani VLogo Blue Denim Pointed Toe Slingback Kitten Heel Pumps 37.5
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Mechanicsville, VA
Valentino Garavani VLogo Blue Denim Pointed Toe Slingback Kitten Heel Pumps 37.5 Color Denim Size 37.5EU Heel Height 1.75in Denim upper Leather sole Leather lined Gold finished V l...
Valentino Black Leather Lace Up High Boots Size 38.5
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful Valentino Garavani high boots Leather Black color Lace up Internal zip Height cm 50 (19.68 inches) Heel cm 11.5 (4.52 inches) Plateau cm 2.5 (0.98 inches) With box Original...
Valentino Rockstud Crystals Mesh Rose Cannelle Calfskin Ballerina Flats 40
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Mechanicsville, VA
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Mesh Ballerina with Crystals Flats Color Rose Cannelle Size 40EU Heel Height 5mm Mesh upper Leather sole Fabric bow detail Calfskin strap and trim Adjusta...
S/S 2002 Valentino Garavani Runway Ad Black Quilted Beaded Corset Waist Belt 10
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a fabulous black beaded Valentino waist belt. From the Spring/Summer 2002 collection, this chic waist belt debuted on the season's runway as part of look 71, modeled by Ha...
Vintage Valentino Garavani rhinestone V-bucke textured leather belt, 2000s
By Valentino Garavani
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Valentino Garavani belt in textured leather with rhinestone and enamel V-buckle. Size: 80cm Length – 100 cm Buckle – 9.5 x 5 cm Very go...
Evening pump in rhinestone, gold leather on tulle base Valentino Garavani
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Evening pump in rhinestone, gold leather on tulle base. Height heels =9cm Shoes size 38
Printed sandals with studs VALENTINO Garavani
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Sandals in printed leather and studs. 3 buckle closure on the side. Heel's height = 7cm Shoe size = 38 ( It)
As New Valentino Light Ivory Leather Sandals IT 37
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
As new pair of sandals by Valentino Leather Light ivory color Golden metal studs Long leather ankle strap Heel height cm 1 (0.39 inches) Worldwide fast shipping included in the pric...
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Black Leather Block Heel Gladiator Sandals 39
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Oakland, CA
Valentino Rockstud gladiator sandals, black leather upper. Size 39 / US 9. There are some scratches on the back of the left heel. Please see close up images for wear. MEASUREMENTS...
Valentino Rockstud Over the Knee Leopard Print Cowhair Stiletto Boots 40
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Mechanicsville, VA
Valentino Rockstud Over the Knee Leopard Print Cowhair Zip Up Boots Color Multi Size 40EU Heel height 4.25in. Leather upper, leather lined Leather sole Gold finish rockstuds and fu...
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Grainy Leather Ankle Strap Heels
By Valentino Garavani
Located in London, GB
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Grainy Leather Ankle Strap Heels Nude pink heels crafted from grained leather. Embellished with the brand's signature gold pyramid studs fixed along the...
2000s Valentino Garavani Rockstud Brown Leather Sandal Size EU 39
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Arnhem, NL
Valentino Garavani brown leather flat sandals with gold toned studs. Never worn in perfect condition. They will be dleivered with the original shoe box and dust bag. Size EU 39.
Valentino Garavani Bright Multicolor V-Print Nylon Bucket Hat
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Valentino Garavani Bright Multicolor V-Print Nylon Bucket Hat is a striking accessory that brings a playful touch to any outfit. Crafted from durable nylon, this hat features the...
New Vintage Valentino V584 Oversized Mask Sunglasses 1980's Made in Italy
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Valentino mask style oversized frame. New never worn or displayed. This item could show minor sign of wear due to nearly 30 years of storage. Original Valentino h...
Vintage Valentino high-waisted brown leather belt with a large round buckle from the 1990s
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Genova, IT
Vintage Valentino high-waisted belt in brown leather with a large round buckle Valentino Garavani Women's Belt Brown Made of leather Length: 85 cm; 80 cm at the center hole Width 7 ...
Rhinestone on tulle evening platform pump Valentino Garavani
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Rhinestone on tulle evening platform pump. Black satin piping edge and heels. Beige leather inside-sole. Silver metal buckle. Silver lurex thread top-stitching. Heel height = 14,5 c...
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Garavani Women's Contemporary Brown Flower Shoes, Size 38.5
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Capri, IT
Valentino Garavani brown flower shoes size 38.5
Valentino Garavani Sandal size 38
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Satin Black color Heel high cm 135 (531 inches) Plateau height cm 25 (098 inches) Very little sign of use behind the heels see pictures
$167Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Garavani tortoiseshell print silver studs sunglasses
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Milano, IT
Valentino Garavani sunglasses Brown and black tortoiseshell print frame Green lenses Silver metal studs Great condition Minor signs of use With original case
New Vintage Valentino 1090 Rimless Mask Sunglasses 2000's Y2K Made in Italy
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Valentino 1090 Rimless Mask Sunglasses 2000'S Y2K Made In Italy New Never Worn Or Displayed. This Item Could Show Minor Sign Of Wear Due To Nearly 30 Years Of Storage...
Valentino Garavani Buckskin shoe size 41
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Black color Heel height cm 12 (4.7 inches)
$167Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Garavani aviator pink rhinestones sunglasses
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Milano, IT
Valentino Garavani sunglasses Aviator style Golden metal frame Central and side transparent and pink rhinestones Great condition Faded internal logo With original case
New Vintage Valentino V568 Tortoise Mask Sunglasses 1980's Made in Italy
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Valentino mask style oversized frame. New never worn or displayed. This item could show minor sign of wear due to nearly 30 years of storage. Original Valentino ha...
New Vintage Valentino 543 Black Sleek Mask Sunglasses 1980's Made in Italy
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Valentino mask style frame. New never worn or displayed. This item could show minor sign of wear due to nearly 30 years of storage. Made in Italy. FRONT : 13 CMS L...
Symphony "Yellow & Brown Color-Block" Silk Scarf
Located in New York, NY
Symphony "yellow & brown color-block" silk scarf measures 26" x 26" and finished with hand-rolled edges. Made in Italy.
Dolce & Gabbana New Men's 1990s Size US 8 / 8.5 EU 41.5 Espadrilles 90s Shoes
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in San Diego, CA
Brand new rare, never worn men's DOLCE AND GABBANA grey and ivory checkered espadrille lace-up shoes! Features an allover gray and white gingham / checker print, with ivory cotton la...
new 2003 Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga tan leather runway sandals - 37
By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Spring 2003 Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière untreated leather sandals with multiple buckle straps and a heavy stacked wood heel. Made from raw tan leather that develops wear and pat...
Gucci Ivory Belt w/ Gold "G" Buckle-30
By Gucci
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gucci Ivory Belt w/ Gold "G" Buckle-30. This amazing Gucci belt is in good condition. It has scratches on the buckle, as shown in picture, and it also has s...
Vintage Ferragamo Leather Belt
By Ferragamo
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage belt by Ferragamo. The belt is in a burgundy leather with attractive gilt buckle. There are three holes but space enough to add more if necessary. Length 31'' , height...
Giuseppe Zanotti Fishbone Heels (37)
By Giuseppe Zanotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic and rare Giuseppe Zanotti silver crystal fishbone sandal heels, as seen on Samantha Jones in Sex and The City (2008) and on Beyoncé at the 2003 VMA’s. Hundreds of crystals cov...
Chanel slingback shoes white and black
By Chanel
Located in London, England
Chanel slingback sandals in white ( crocodile pattern) and black. Sold out very limited. Size 38.5c new in box and dustbags.
S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Light Green Alligator Kitten Heels Crystal G
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Iconic, these heels were designed by Tom Ford, the creative director of Gucci, for the S/S 1998 collection. The small/kitten heels feature a pointed toe made of green crocodile/allig...
MCM Black Visetos Monogram Belt With Gold-Plated Logo Laurel Buckle Size S
By MCM
Located in Munich, DE
This 1980s MCM waist belt dates from that period when the company still belonged to its founder Michael Cromer. The black design is crafted from the bra...
Alaïa Paris "CALZATURE" Donna Wedge in Snakeskin
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Make a statement with these beautiful Alaïa Paris " Calzature" Donna Platform Wedges in a multi-color snakeskin. Wedge wraps around the ankle, Sz 38 1/2 These shoes come with their o...
FENDI, by Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini, brown, platform heels, Fall 2009
By Fendi
Located in Kingston, NY
FENDI, tri-color calf hair platforms by Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi. EU 41, US 9 Heel 6.5"
HERMES c.1980's Burgundy Lizard Skin Leather Equestrian Ring Belt Gold Hardware
By ERIC BERGERE, Hermès
Located in Thiensville, WI
Hermes c.1980's Burgundy Lizard Skin Leather Equestrian Ring Belt Gold Hardware Brand / Manufacturer: Hermes Designer: Eric Bergere Circa: 1980's Sty...
2000s Valentino Garavani Vintage Shield Sunglasses Tortoiseshell & Gold
By Valentino Garavani
Located in London, GB
Rare vintage Valentino oversized shield sunglasses from the late 1990s–early 2000s. Bold tortoiseshell acetate with gold-tone trim and warm olive-brown lenses. “VALENTINO” engraved o...
Valentino Rectangle Vintage Sunglasses Mod.V066 511 54/19 145mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
Evoke the quiet luxury of 1980s Italian fashion with these Valentino Vintage Rectangle Sunglasses, a refined expression of the era's confident sophistication. Handcrafted in Italy, t...
New Vintage Valentino 5105 Black Sleek Sunglasses 2000's Y2K Made in Italy
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Valentino 5105 Black Sleek Sunglasses 2000'S Y2K Made In Italy New Never Worn Or Displayed. This Item Could Show Minor Sign Of Wear Due To Nearly 30 Years Of Storage....
Valentino Garavani Black Leather Man Ankle Boots IT 44
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Very beautiful and in great conditions Valentino Garavani man ankle boots Leather Black color Studded Strap Total height cm 21 Size IT 44 Worldwide express shipping included in the ...
Valentino Garavani Man Rockrunner Camouflage Sneakers IT 44
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Very beautiful Valentino Garavani man rockrunner sneakers Suede and textile Green color Laced Studded Size IT 44 Worldwide express shipping included in the price ! Your questions or ...
Valentino Garavani Man Rockstud Wool Sneakers IT 44
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Very beautiful Valentino Garavani man rockstud sneakers Wool and cotton Grey color Laced Studded Size IT 44 Worldwide express shipping included in the price ! Your questions or messa...
Valentino Vintage Rounded Black Gold Sunglasses V377 51/20 140mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
Bold yet refined, these Valentino vintage sunglasses-Model V377-capture the essence of Italian glamour with a distinctly sophisticated edge. The rounded frame combines sleek black an...
Valentino Vintage Rounded Black Gold Sunglasses V377 51/20 140mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
Bold yet refined, these Valentino vintage sunglasses-Model V377-capture the essence of Italian glamour with a distinctly sophisticated edge. The rounded frame combines sleek black an...
Valentino Vintage Half Rim Rectangle Sunglasses Mod. V367 57/17 135mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
A striking piece of vintage elegance, these Valentino sunglasses-Model V 367-capture the bold sophistication of Italian design at its finest. Featuring a rectangle half-rim silhouett...
Valentino Vintage Gold Metal Oval Sunglasses Mod. V431 58/15 130mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
Timelessly elegant with a touch of bohemian charm, these Valentino vintage oval sunglasses,m Mod. V431 are a celebration of refined 1980s-inspi...
Valentino Vintage Gold Metal Oval Sunglasses Mod. V465 53/16 130mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
Timelessly elegant with a touch of bohemian charm, these Valentino vintage oval sunglasses, Mod. V465 are a celebration of refined 1980s-inspir...
Valentino Vintage Silver Metal Sunglasses Mod. 5213 56/16 130mm
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
Shimmering with quiet allure, these Valentino vintage sunglasses, model 5213, are a rare find from an era where elegance met daring design. The silver metal frame is sleek and refine...