Valentino history

Elizabeth Taylor dancing with Kirk Douglas at the Spartacus premiere after-party in Rome in 1961

Valentino and Giammetti quickly became partners both romantically and professionally, and together they developed Valentino SpA into an internationally recognized brand that launched in 1962 at the Pitti Palace in Florence.

In 1968, Valentino released his all-white collection that featured the ‘V’ logo which is now synonymous with the brand.

In 1969 he opened his first ready-to-wear shop in Milan.

The brand released its first scent in 1978, called ‘Valentino Classique for Women’.

In 1979 Valentino’s logo changed, and it is the same until this day.

(Brooke Shields for Valentino Haute Couture, 1981)

In 1990, Valentino established the “Academia Valentino” a cultural spot in Rome, opened for art exhibitions.

In 1991, Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti created L.I.F.E, an organization to support AIDs patients, encourage by Elizabeth Taylor.

He and Giametti sold the company in 1998, though Valentino remained the designer.

Valentino’s first men’s cologne wouldn’t follow until 1999 when they released ‘Very Valentino for Men’.

HdP sold the brand in 2002 to Marzotto Apparel for $210 million, when the brand was producing revenue of $180 million.

Valentino Garavani received the French ‘Legion of Honour’ medal in 2006 for his dedication to the fashion industry.

In 2012, Qatar purchased the brand for 700 million euros through an investment company called ‘Mayhoola for Investments S.P.C’.