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FASHION

Celebrating Valentino Garavani: A Lifetime of Design Excellence

One of the world's most iconic designers, Valentino Garavani, will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year's Fashion Awards.
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One of the world’s most iconic designers, Valentino Garavani, will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s Fashion Awards.

Known worldwide as the designer who created the infamous “Valentino Red” and awe-striking elegant evening gowns, Valentino Garavani is a legend in the fashion industry. “Mr. Valentino’s legacy is characterized by bold colors, innovative fabrics, intricate embroidery, and impeccable craftsmanship,” states Don-Alvin Adegeest from Fashion United.

Garavani began his rise in fashion at 17 years old, leaving for Paris to attend Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Ten years later, it wasn’t until 1959 that Garavani returned to Italy to open his own fashion house. “Valentino brought with him to Rome the grandeur that he had experienced firsthand in Paris, establishing a reputation among the elite of the Dolce Vita,” stated Scarlett Kilcooley-O’Halloran from Vogue.

Eventually, Garavani’s designs were sought after by the most elite individuals in the world. “Accordingly, Garavani quickly became the darling of socialites and aristocrats from around the world and a star of the Italian fashion scene,” stated Haute History. One of his most elite clients and friends, Jackie Kennedy-Onassis, wore almost exclusively Valentino. “The same year, he designed the dress that Jackie Kennedy wore to marry Aristotle Onassis,” states Kilcooley-O’Halloran.

It is among the greatest honors for a fashion designer to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award by the British Fashion Council. Adegeest mentioned, “The Fashion Awards serve as a global gathering in London to honor change-makers, celebrate creative excellence, and support emerging talent.” Garavani achieved all this and more in the time he contributed to the fashion industry.

Valentino Garavani will receive his well-deserved award in London at the Royal Albert Hall on December 4th. His years in fashion are available chronologically in Scarlett Kilcooley-O’Halloran’s article from Vogue. Quotes from Valentino Garavani are available in Andrea Sacal’s article from Hypebeast. Read more about Valentino, the brand, here.