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 Black wool One Shoulder Cocktail Dress, 1980's size 8-10
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a black one shoulder cocktail dress bt Valentino, from the 1980's. The dress has a wrapped front layer and gathers at the armhole. : Size 10
Valentino 1980s Pinstripe Chain Link Belted Midi Dress
By Valentino
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate your wardrobe with the timeless elegance of the Valentino 1980s Pinstripe Chain Link Belted Midi Dress. This exquisite dress is a true embodiment of classic sophistication an...
VALENTINO Attributed Black & White Feather Trim Floral Print Silk Skirt Set 6-8
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Valentino skirt set is composed of a black and white silk chiffon with a floral pattern, velvet pipping, and feather trim. The blouse has center front button closures, and a ru...
Valentino Black and Cream Wool Day Dress, Circa 1980's
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a black and cream day dress by Valentino, from the 1980's. The dress has a cream color block across the shoulders with pads, long sleeves, a large black silk bow on the front...
Valentino Garavani VLTN Logo High-Top Leather Sneakers
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Garavani VLTN Logo High-Top Leather Sneakers White sneakers crafted from leather. Featuring signature black 'VLTN' logo lettering to the side. Lace-up front with a round...
Valentino Camo Print Long Sleeve Crew Neck Sweater
By Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Valentino Camo Print Long Sleeve Crew Neck Sweater Size M 83% viscose 17% polyester Length: 23” Bust: 38”
Valentino & Silk Motif Printed Matching Shirt & Trousers
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Silk Motif Printed Matching Shirt & Trousers Navy pyjama styled top and bottom with Valentino archival Scale motif. Consisting of a collared shirt and straight-leg trouse...
$672Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO 2023 black crepe couture silk puff ball bubble skirt IT38 XS
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2023 black crepe couture silk puff ball bubble skirt IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A01401 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: 2023 Material: Virgin Wool, S...
Valentino Boutique Navy Blazer Jacket Size 6
By Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Featuring collar, 3 front pockets, 3 large front buttons closure, 2 buttons detail on each sleeve, half rear belt detail with 2 buttons and ruffle detail on the back...
Valentino Silk Crepe Bandana Logo Print Tie Neck Top & Trouser Ensemble
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Brand New - Valentino Silk Bandana Logo Print Tie Neck Top & Trouser Ensemble Self tie neck top with button closure and cuffs and matching wide leg straight trousers. Navy blue, re...
$864Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO 2022 Pier Paolo Piccioli pink virgin wool cut out crop sweater S
By Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2022 Pier Paolo Piccioli pink virgin wool cut out crop sweater S Reference: AAWC/A01373 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: 2022 Material: Virgin Woo...
Valentino Three Tier Black and Silver Evening Skirt, Circa 1980's Size 4
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a three tier black and silver ruffled skirt by Valentino, from the 1980's. Measurements: Size #4 Length: 24" Waist: 27" Hip: 35 1/2"
Valentino 1980's Turquoise lightweight wool tuxedo style jacket-Size 8
By Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Valentino Boutique Turquoise lightweight wool tuxedo style jacket-8-Circa 80's This very unique vintage Valentino jacket has a beautiful turquoise color, with a black silk faille an...
Valentino Logo Printed Silk Dress With Asymmetric Sleeves
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Logo Printed Silk Dress With Asymmetric Sleeves Black and white printed dress fully crafted from silk and adorned with all-over 'VALENTINO' signature. Featuring asymmetri...
VALENTINO black vinyl pleat front back slit pockets pants S
By Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO black vinyl pleat front back slit pockets pants S Reference: NKLL/A00060 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Material: Fabric Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure...
VALENTINO V Optical graphic logo silver foil oversized cropped cotton hoodie S
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO V Optical graphic logo silver foil oversized cropped cotton hoodie S Reference: AAWC/A00259 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: V Optical Material: C...
$280Sale Price|30% Off
VALENTINO VLTN white neon green purple floral print cotton tshirt XS
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO VLTN white neon green purple floral print cotton tshirt XS Reference: AAWC/A00086 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Material: Feels like cotton Color: White, G...
$504Sale Price|40% Off
VALENTINO Piccioli 100% silk raspberry pink cinched waist casual blazer IT36 XXS
By Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO Piccioli 100% silk raspberry pink cinched waist casual blazer IT36 XXS Reference: AAWC/A00716 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Material: Silk Color: Purple Pa...
Valentino Logo Cotton T-Shirt
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Logo Cotton T-Shirt Classic white t-shirt crafted from cotton with 'VLTN' lettering to the front. Short sleeves, crew neckline and straight hem. Rrp £345 Size – S Condi...
Valentino Little Black Crochet Mini Dress Size 42/ 8
By Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Featuring short sleeves, floral, see through, lace top, mini length, side zip closure. The label tag is missing.
Valentino Red Suede Jacket Size 42
By Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Featuring red suede with floral print, front silver tone zip closure and two front pocket with buttons. Made in Italy. Size 42.
Valentino Rockstud Bomber Jacket
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Rockstud Bomber Jacket Navy bomber jacket detailed with the brand's signature gold Rockstuds embellishment. Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem with red stripe pattern, zip fast...
Valentino Garavani, canvas espadrilles in army green
By Valentino
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Valentino Garavani, canvas espadrilles in army green. The item is in very good condition.
Valentino Cotton Jeans
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Cotton Jeans Beige jeans with silver logo hardware. Size - 32 Wait. 30 Leg Condition - Good (Light signs of wear) Composition - Cotton
Brown & Purple Valentino Wool Glen Plaid Blazer Size US 12
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Brown and purple wool Glen plaid blazer by Valentino. Notched lapel. Tulip hem. Button closures at front. 38" bust, 17" shoulder width, 24.5" sleeve length, 22.5" length.
VALENTINO 2019 Size M Navy Blue Embroidered Beaded Outer Space Cotton Buttoned Polo
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO polo in a navy and blue cotton pique featuring blue beaded planets and stars with black velvet planet detail, black beaded text on left sleeve (which reads: "I'll travel th...
VALENTINO 2020 Size L Black Green Yellow Parrot Graphic Cotton Buttoned Polo
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO polo in a black cotton pique featuring a neon green and yellow parrot graphic print with V logo, short sleeves, and half placket button closure. Made in Italy.Very Good Pr...
VALENTINO Size 10 Green Olive Camouflage Leather Belted Sandals
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO x BIRKENSTOCK sandals in a green and olive green leather featuring a camouflage pattern with white VLTN logo, double metal buckles, and slip on closure. Made in Germany.Ver...
$161Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO Size XL White Cotton Crew Neck T-shirt
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO t-shirt in a white cotton jersey featuring white rubber logo patch, short sleeves, and crew neck. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: XL Measurements...
$286Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO Size 10 Grey Silk Pleated Waist Blazer
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO blazer comes in a gray silk with a black liner featuring a pleated waist style, shawl collar, patch pockets, and a snap button closure. Missing button. As-Is. Made in Italy...
$286Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO Size 32 Pink Wool Elastic Waistband Casual Pants
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO pants in a salmon pink wool fabric featuring elastic waistband, ankle zippers, and a zip fly closure. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Minor repair on right bac...
$578Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO Size 42 Navy Wool Mohair Notch Lapel Sport Coat
By Valentino
Located in San Francisco, CA
VALENTINO sport coat comes in a navy wool /mohair featuring a notch lapel, flap pockets, double back vent, and a double button closure. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. ...