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. Today, the brand's popular collections include the Valentino Garavani line, Miss V and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience.
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. In the late 1960s, Valentino launched Miss V, a ready-to-wear line for women. It was soon followed by the house's first menswear collection.
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.
Valentino 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 Miss V jackets, evening dresses, suits and other items on 1stDibs now.
Beaded edge to edge evening jacket VALENTINO Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Beaded edge to edge evening jacket on silk base. Polyester lining. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front. Shoulder pad. SIZE 42 (It) 38 (Fr) M
Valentino 1990s Size 4 Lipstick Red Linen + Rayon Halter Criss Cross 90s Dress
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic mid 90s VALENTINO ‘ Miss V ‘ signature lipstick red halter cross-cross Rayon ( 90% ) and Linen ( 10%) dress ! Features a halter neckline for support...
Burgundy cocktail dress with leather belt Valentino Miss V NEW with tag
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Burgundy cocktail dress with black ribbons piping and leather belt. Shoulder-pad. Fabric composition: 70% acetate, 30% silk. Lining: 63% acetate, 37% rayon. New with tag. Zip in th...
Beige dress with cotton lace on the side Valentino Miss V NEW
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Beige dress with cotton lace on the side and decorative buttons. Shoulders pads. Zip in the middle back. Polyester lining. NEW ( extra button provide) S...
$1,196Sale Price|25% Off
1980s Valentino Miss V White Sheer Nylon Embroidered Oversize Vintage 80s Jacket
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing Valentino ‘Miss V’ 1980s white sheer nylon embroidered jacket or blouse ! The perfect layering piece, belted or alone. In great unworn condition Made in Italy Approximately ...
Long dress in silk chiffon with leopard print Valentino Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Long dress in silk chiffon with leopard print.Polyester lining SIZE 8 US
Vintage Valentino Linen Jacket
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
Located in London, GB
A pretty vintage jacket by Valentino , Miss V line. In black linen , the jacket has an attractive wave detail running down the front, and soft peplum from the waist. It has a round n...
Valentino Black Long Sleeve Back-Button Peplum Office Dress - L, 1980s
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Tucson, AZ
Searching for a failsafe day dress that can take you from conference to cocktails? Look no further: with just enough feminine details (like back buttons and a half peplum) to make you feel like a woman, this dress also offers the no-nonsense length, sleeves and weight to show you mean business. A work horse AND a play horse...
Maglia Valentino anni 80 a retina, mai utilizzata
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Maglia Valentino nuova color burgundi taglia 42. Composta da cellulosa e cotona che compongono una trama quasi a retina. Articolo anni 80 mai utilizzato Misure: Spalle 42cm Manica 6...
Vintage Valentino navy silk pullover blouse, Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in NEWARK, GB
A gorgeous vintage c1980s Valentino Miss V navy blue crepe Silk blouse. It has a lovely nautical vibe to it in a pullover style with a knitted waistband and short sleeves. It has b...
Valentino - Wool skirt with animal detail. 1990s new
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Elegant tailored Valentino Miss V skirt, made of 100% wool in a warm camel color, with an essential and feminine line that reflects the refined language of the fashion house in the 1...
Valentino Miss V silk shantung skirt suit pink 1980s vintage
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Genova, IT
Women's silk suit in pink, Valentino 1980s vintage brand ABOUT Fuchsia pink silk shantung skirt suit, an elegant women's suit by Valentino Miss V. The pink suit is vintage 1980s an...
Pink jacquard skirt-suit Valentino Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pink jacquard skirt-suit . Shell composition: 40% linen, 36% cotton, 24% silk. Lining: 100% cupro ( rayon) Shoulder pad. Cut-work. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front ...
Red wool skirt suit with velvet details VALENTINO MISS V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red wool skirt suit with velvet details. Lining composition: acetate & cupro. Shoulder pad. Zip closure on the middle front. Button and buttonhole ( not supposed to be open) on the c...
$261Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Pants Skirt
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Valentino 1980s Skirt Pant. Never used Wearing it looks like a skirt with two layers of voulant. Peculiar and refined, on a white base with drawn blue shells 100% cotton, invisible ...
Navy blue wool dress with mother-of-pearls buttons Valentino Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue wool dress with mother-of-pearls buttons. SIZE 8 (M)
Black and gold lurex cocktail dress with ruffles Valentino Miss V NEW with tag
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black and gold lurex cocktail dress with ruffles. Rhinestone buttons in the middle back. Fabric belt. Elastic wait. Fabric composition: 75% silk, 25% nylon. Lining: Cupro. Velvet col...
Vintage Valentino Wool Jacket
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
Located in London, GB
A great vintage jacket for Fall / Winter by Valentino, Miss V. The jacket has a cut away collar, a four button front opening, four pockets and a two button cuff. It is fully lined. ...
1980s Valentino Miss V Red Tie Back Jacket
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chic double breasted light weight wool red jacket from the Miss V line by Valentino from the 1980s. The bright red fabric is accented with crisp white buttons down the front and a no...
Valentino Miss V New Cashmere Angora Wool Suit, Vintage
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Valentino Miss V New Cashmere Angora Wool Suit, Vintage Jacket Shoulders: 43 cm / 16.93 in Sleeve Length: 63 cm / 24.80 in Underarm Width: 49 cm / 19.29 in Length: 55 cm / 21.65 in ...
Elegant Electric Blue Vintage Mini Dress by Miss V Valentino
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in Milano, IT
Stunning vintage mini dress by Miss V Valentino, crafted in vibrant electric blue that reflects the bold style of the 1980s and early 1990s collections. The design features a flatter...
$233Sale Price|20% Off
Blue Linen Blazer for Women by Valentino Miss V, Made in Italy
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful women's linen jacket by Valentino Miss V. The jacket is made of a very fresh linen, the cut is classic but this jacket is also perfect on a sporty outfit. Deep neckline wit...
Valentino Miss V Vintage Wool Jacket with Jeweled Buttons - 1980s
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Elegant vintage Valentino Miss V original 1980s jacket made of pure light ivory wool with an extremely refined and structured silhouette, perfectly representative of Italian elegance...
Gold lurex jersey top Valentino Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Gold lurex knit top. Shoulder pads. Fabric composition: 84% rayon, 16% polyester SIZE 44( It 10 (Us)
$252Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino 80s cotton skirt
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Valentino 80s cotton skirt, asymmetrical flared shape, raw cut at bottom. Dead stock, new never used Waistband with zipper closure and 3 buttons Size indicated 46 fit small, Lisa and...
Black sleeveless cocktail dress with embroideries Valentino Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black sleeveless cocktail dress with embroideries. Fabric composition: 73% cotton, 27% silk. Zip on the left side. SIZE : M
A Vintage 1990s navy polka dot silk blouse by Valentino
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic silk blouse by Valentino. The blouse has long sleeves with a single button cuff, and a button opening at the back. The silk has blue dots in the background with yellow and wh...
Red crêpe cocktail dress with gold metal "V" on both pockets Valentino Miss V
By Valentino Miss V
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red crêpe cocktail dress with gold metal "V" on both pockets. Silk lining. Size 46 (It) 42 (Fr) 12 (Us)
Vintage Valentino Miss V Multicolour Silk Blouse with Interesting Collar.
By Valentino, Valentino Miss V
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 Miss V Black Velvet and Sheer Silk Cocktail Dress
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in Milano, IT
Refined and architectural, this vintage Valentino cocktail dress blends sensuality and structure in a timeless silhouette. Dating from the late 1980s to early 1990s, the piece featur...