June 3, 2025 |
Valentino Garavani was a legend, and staunchly so. A master couturier whose influence radiated from Rome’s Via Condotti to the red carpets of Hollywood and the palaces of European royalty, he dressed the world’s most glamorous women – Elizabeth Taylor in flowing chiffon gowns, Jackie Kennedy Onassis in sleek black mourning dresses and a now-iconic white wedding dress, Audrey Hepburn in sculpted silhouettes, all marked by an unmistakable sense of timeless elegance. And never once did he bow to fleeting fashion trends. In fact, he set them. Look no further than his commanding couture collections, his signature Valentino Red gowns that became the stuff of fashion legend, or his star-studded front rows and exhibitions from Somerset House to the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum for the receipts. His gowns were timeless, his crimson hue unforgettable – a symbol of passion, power and poise. Think of him, think of luxury. Garavani built an empire of elegance with his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti, blending artistic vision with business acumen to elevate the Valentino name into a global powerhouse. Now, that crimson-stitched legacy is being charted and celebrated in a hardback book. Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic is the ultimate monograph tracing his illustrious history from a starstruck boy in Voghera to the crowned king of Italian haute couture.
Published by luxury press Taschen, the tome is as sumptuous and sprawling as the designer’s career itself. Across all 576 pages, expect to see drawings, magazine editorials, advertisements, portraits and documentary photographs, all offering an in-depth, behind-the-curtain look at one of fashion’s most influential names. Pulled from the couturier’s extensive archive to capture the evolution of his artistry and the cultural moments he shaped, the book also reveals the intimate workings of his studio and his personal life. Penned by Matt Tyrnauer, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, and edited by Armando Chitolina, this is an in-depth portrait of the man, his lifestyle and his inimitable genius in all its grandeur and nuance.
For more than half a century Valentino has dominated Italian haute couture, but it all started with something a little simpler and a little humbler. It was from a fascination with the film Zeigfeld Girl that Garavani decided to design clothes for women. A formative visit to the opera in Barcelona introduced him to the drama of a red velvet gown – a moment that would spark the creation of Valentino Red. That encounter lit the fire; Parisian training honed the skill; and Rome became the stage for his meteoric rise. Garavani retired in 2007, but his legacy lives on – in his brand – which continues to prosper, adored by celebrities and royalty alike – and in his lasting influence on the silhouette and spirit of luxury fashion. Discover this fashion odyssey, with the details to dazzle and the stories to inspire, inside the Taschen Tome. It’s a love letter to couture, a delectable visual feast and a definitive tribute to one of fashion’s greats. Get your copy of Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic here.
Photography courtesy of Taschen.
