Valentino, Retrospective: Past / Present / Future

Valentino, well known for luxurious and tasteful gowns, is a household name synonymous with dramatic, opulence and extravagance. Whether you were one of those shell-shocked by Valentino's retirement announcement in 2007, or have seen many celebrities walking down the red carpet in their Valentino gowns on television, we have news to thrill you!

If you haven't heard yet, Valentino is coming to Asia. You don't have to be a fashionista to know that this is a rare opportunity to see long, gorgeous, flowing Valentino gowns. Not just any gowns – but one-of-a-kind, custom-fitted haute couture gowns worn by celebrities and famous personalities. Up close.

Come 15 Dec, Resorts World Sentosa will play host to Valentino, Retrospective: Past / Present / Future, an exclusive exhibition featuring haute couture looks from Valentino’s early works – designed by founder Valentino Garavani himself – to present-day creations – by current Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli.

So why are we so thrilled at the prospect of seeing one hundred exquisite haute couture pieces up close and personal? Well, if you know more about the magic of Valentino, the man, you’ll understand why.

Valentino Facts:
Valentino’s love for fashion manifested when he was in primary school, and the interest grew into a burning passion, leading him to pursue it in Paris at just 17.

In 1959, he left Paris and opened his own couture house in Rome. For his first fashion show, he pulled out all the stops; every aspect of his show was grand, complete with models flown in from Paris for his first show, in bright red dresses. The brightly hued dresses would later be coined by the fashion industry as “Valentino red”, and became his signature colour.

One of Valentino’s famous clients is Jacqueline Kennedy. In 1964, she commissioned Valentino to design a complete wardrobe to mark the end of her mourning for her husband. In fact, Valentino presented his famous “White collection” in 1968, in which Jacqueline Kennedy chose the dress from for her marriage to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

In addition, Valentino was also the couturier of the world’s most famous actresses in the 1960s: Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth and even Audrey Hepburn. Since then, many of the rich and famous have walked red carpets the world over, dressed in Valentino.

Valentino’s last haute couture show in 2008 saw a return of many renowned models, including Eva Herzigova, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Nadja Auermann, Karolina Kurkova and Karen Mulder. Velentino’s work is now carried on by his successors.

Some other milestones of Valentino:
1985         President of Italian Republic bestowed Valentino with one of Italy’s most prestigious ranks: Grand'Ufficiale dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana

1986         Valentino receives Italy’s highest honor, the Cavaliere di Gran Croce

1995         Mayor of Florence awards Valentino a special prize for Art in Fashion

2000         Valentino receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America

2005         Fashion Group International gives Valentino the Superstar Award

2006         Valentino is the recipient of the Légion d'honneur, (National Order of the Legion of Honour) the highest decoration in France. He was handed the award by then French President Jacques Chirac.


Isn't it impressive? Well stay tuned, we will be releasing more Valentino updates as we go along.
For more details of the event and of Valentino, do visit www.rwsentosa.com.