Valentino Garavani opens his first Atelier in Rome, Via Condotti. Born in Voghera in 1932, he has been passionate for art and fashion, since an early age. At 17, he moves to Paris to study at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture.That same year, he debuts his first Haute Couture collection, titled "Ibis".
Maison Valentino is formally founded in 1960 following by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, an Architecture student from Rome, who blends his strategic approach with Garavani’s visionary talent.
Valentino receives international acclaim when he is invited to present his Haute Couture collection at Sala Bianca, Palazzo Pitti, Florence.
In January, Valentino presents his iconic Haute Couture Collection. In contrast to the fashion of the time, its image of purity and chromatic lightness would later make it be known as the White Collection.
Jacqueline Kennedy chooses Valentino for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis. Shorty after, Valentino receives sixty orders for identical dresses. The piece becomes one of the Maison’s milestones.
Over the years, Valentino dresses Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marisa Berenson and Anjelica Huston, among the others. In May, he opens his first boutique in Paris at 42 Avenue Montaigne, followed by locations in Milan (1969), Rome and New York (1970), London (1974), and Tokyo (1976).
The Autumn-Winter 1975-76 Valentino Boutique prêt-à-porter collection is presented in Paris at the Hotel George V. To this day, the Maison continues its presenting all its prêt-à-porter and Haute Couture collections in the city.
The launch of the first parfum "Valentino," takes place with a spectacular event at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris featuring music by Tchaikovsky, a ballet by Roland Petit and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s debut performance of The Queen of Spades.
In April 1982, Mr. Garavani is invited to present his collection in Tokyo as part of The Best Five's ’83 alongside Sonia Rykiel, Norma Kamali, Kansai Yamamoto, and Hanae Mori.In September, Valentino showcased his Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1982–1983 collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, invited by Diane Vreeland. The event was enriched by the operatic notes of Der Rosenkavalier and the performances of renowned dancers George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Suzanne Farrell.Among the guests were Liza Minnelli, Raquel Welch, Richard Gere, Plácido Domingo, Muhammad Ali, and Brooke Shields
Valentino Garavani is honored with the title of Cavaliere di Gran Croce.
The Maison celebrates its 30th anniversary with two major exhibitions at the Musei Capitolini and at Accademia Valentino in Rome: Valentino Trent’Anni di Magia. In 1992 where they are presented at the Park Avenue Armory, in NYC.
Valentino Garavani receives the title of the Cavaliere del Lavoro, a decoration recognizing for exceptional and distinguished entrepreneurship in Italy.
Valentino Garavani receives the Légion d'Honneur.
The Maison celebrates its 45th anniversary with a grand event in Rome's Ara Pacis Museum featuring over 350 creations and archival pieces.
In September, Valentino Garavani retires.
Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri are appointed Co-Creative Directors of Maison Valentino.
In July 2012, the Qatari investment fund acquires Valentino, driving its exponential growth. The entity is led by Mr. Rachid Mohamed Rachid, CEO of Mayhoola and Chairman of Maison Valentino.
Valentino appoints Pierpaolo Piccioli as the sole Creative Director of the Maison.
In May 2018, L’Oréal and Maison Valentino announce a long-term global licensing agreement for the creation, development, and distribution of perfumes and cosmetics.
Kering and Mayhoola announce that Kering will become a significant shareholder of Maison Valentino as part of a broader strategic partnership.
On April 2, Alessandro Michele becomes Creative Director of Valentino. In this capacity, he is responsible for the Maison’s men’s and women’s collections, accessories and Haute Couture. His creative direction sets a new path for contemporary Maison Valentino.
As of September 1st, 2025, Riccardo Bellini is the Chief Executive Officer of Maison Valentino. Following a long and accomplished career in the luxury industry, he now leads the Maison into the future, guided by its values, heritage, and boundless creativity.
The Maison will forever honor Mr. Valentino Garavani's enduring presence. His unique human, creative, and cultural legacy will remain with us, guiding our pursuit of beauty in the present and in the future.
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Valentino Garavani opens his first Atelier in Rome, Via Condotti. Born in Voghera in 1932, he has been passionate for art and fashion, since an early age. At 17, he moves to Paris to study at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture.That same year, he debuts his first Haute Couture collection, titled "Ibis".
Maison Valentino is formally founded in 1960 following by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, an Architecture student from Rome, who blends his strategic approach with Garavani’s visionary talent.
Valentino receives international acclaim when he is invited to present his Haute Couture collection at Sala Bianca, Palazzo Pitti, Florence.
In January, Valentino presents his iconic Haute Couture Collection. In contrast to the fashion of the time, its image of purity and chromatic lightness would later make it be known as the White Collection.
Jacqueline Kennedy chooses Valentino for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis. Shorty after, Valentino receives sixty orders for identical dresses. The piece becomes one of the Maison’s milestones.
Over the years, Valentino dresses Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marisa Berenson and Anjelica Huston, among the others. In May, he opens his first boutique in Paris at 42 Avenue Montaigne, followed by locations in Milan (1969), Rome and New York (1970), London (1974), and Tokyo (1976).
The Autumn-Winter 1975-76 Valentino Boutique prêt-à-porter collection is presented in Paris at the Hotel George V. To this day, the Maison continues its presenting all its prêt-à-porter and Haute Couture collections in the city.
The launch of the first parfum "Valentino," takes place with a spectacular event at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris featuring music by Tchaikovsky, a ballet by Roland Petit and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s debut performance of The Queen of Spades.
In 1982 Mr. Garavani is invited to present his collection in Tokyo as part of The Best Five's ’83 alongside Sonia Rykiel, Norma Kamali, Kansai Yamamoto, and Hanae Mori.
Valentino Garavani is honored with the title of Cavaliere di Gran Croce.
The Maison celebrates its 30th anniversary with two major exhibitions at the Musei Capitolini and at Accademia Valentino in Rome: Valentino Trent’Anni di Magia. In 1992 where they are presented at the Park Avenue Armory, in NYC.
Valentino Garavani receives the title of the Cavaliere del Lavoro, a decoration recognizing for exceptional and distinguished entrepreneurship in Italy.
Valentino Garavani receives the Légion d'Honneur.
The Maison celebrates its 45th anniversary with a grand event in Rome's Piazza di Spagna featuring over 350 creations and archival pieces. After the Haute Couture show in January 2008, Valentino Garavani retires.
Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri are appointed Co-Creative Directors of Maison Valentino.
In July 2012, the Qatari investment fund acquires Valentino, driving its exponential growth. The entity is led by Mr. Rachid Mohamed Rachid, CEO of Mayhoola and Chairman of Maison Valentino.
Valentino appoints Pierpaolo Piccioli as the sole Creative Director of the Maison.
In May 2018, L’Oréal and Maison Valentino announce a long-term global licensing agreement for the creation, development, and distribution of perfumes and cosmetics.
Kering and Mayhoola announce that Kering will become a significant shareholder of Maison Valentino as part of a broader strategic partnership.
On April 2, Alessandro Michele becomes Creative Director of Valentino. In this capacity, he is responsible for the Maison’s men’s and women’s collections, accessories and Haute Couture. His creative direction sets a new path for contemporary Maison Valentino.
As of September 1st, 2025, Riccardo Bellini is the Chief Executive Officer of Maison Valentino. Following a long and accomplished career in the luxury industry, he now leads the Maison into the future, guided by its values, heritage, and boundless creativity.
1959
1960
1962
1968
1975
1978
1982
1986
1991
1996
2006
2007
2008
2012
2016
2018
2023
2024
2025
2026
Valentino believes it has used the utmost diligence to identify the rights holders of the intellectual works and the materials used. Nevertheless, they remain available for any legitimate requests.
Valentino believes it has used the utmost diligence to identify the rights holders of the intellectual works and the materials used. Nevertheless, they remain available for any legitimate requests.
