Valentino Garavani Bag In Purple Alligator
About the Item
Valentino
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- LOUIS VUITTON Jewelry Case in Brown Monogram CanvasBy Louis VuittonLocated in Paris, FRInterpreted in monogram canvas, this Louis Vuitton Jewelry Case is a refined travel accessory. With 13 compartments of different sizes. T...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Briefcases and Attachés
- Vintage HERMES Sac à dépêches BriefcaseBy HermèsLocated in Paris, FRBeautiful vintage Hermès briefcase in black box leather. Condition: very good Made in France Collection: briefcases Genre: men Material: smoo...Category
Late 20th Century French Briefcases and Attachés
- Vintage Bag in Brown Crocodile Porosus LeatherLocated in Paris, FRCollector. Grimaldi 70 vintage bag in brown crocodile porosus leather. Gilded hardware. The interior is smooth lamb leather with 2 gussets. The first ha...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Top Handle Bags
- Jimmy Choo Small Bag in Leopard Printed Foal-like CalfBy Jimmy ChooLocated in Paris, FRJIMMY CHOO small bag in leopard printed foal-like calf. Large pocket that folds in half to become pocket. This pocket has a golden zip. Closing wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- CHANEL Bag in Perforated Navy Blue Patent LeatherBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel bag in perforated navy blue patent leather. Palladium silver metal hardware. Worn by hand. It is lined in beige alcantara with two zipped pockets. Stamp S from private sale...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- GUCCI Vintage Bag in Black Cowhide Leather and Ribbed WoodBy GucciLocated in Paris, FRGUCCI vintage bag in black cowhide leather and ribbed wood. The interior is lined in monogram canvas with a zipped pocket. In very good condition....Category
Late 20th Century Italian Top Handle Bags
- Chanel 1992 Vintage Black Diamond Quilted Work Laptop Briefcase BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage Black Diamond Quilted Work Laptop Briefcase Bag circa 1992 black lambskin diamond quilting single flat top handle front flap closure push-lock fastening main compart...Category
1990s Italian Briefcases and Attachés
- Chanel Classic Flap Portfolio Caviar Briefcase Black Leather Laptop BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Classic Flap Portfolio Caviar Briefcase Black Leather Laptop Bag Gold tone hardware Black quilted caviar leather Front flap with CC turn l...Category
1990s French Briefcases and Attachés
- Prada BALTIC BLUE SAFFIANO LEATHER WORK BAGBy PradaLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshirePrada BALTIC BLUE SAFFIANO LEATHER WORK BAG ONDITION NOTES The exterior is in excellent condition with light signs of use. There is a scuff front cen...Category
2010s Italian Briefcases and Attachés
- Louis Vuitton Black Epi Leather Robusto 2 Compartment BriefcaseBy Louis VuittonLocated in Krakow, PLThis classic briefcase from Louis Vuitton brings a whole new perspective to office repertoire. This Robusto 2 compartment briefcase is crafted from black Epi leather. The bag feature...Category
2010s Top Handle Bags
- Chanel 1997 Rare Vintage Caviar Flap Executive CC Briefcase Portfolio LaptopBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel unisex vintage large caviar briefcase with gold CC clasp 1997 {VINTAGE 27 Years} Gold hardware Two main interior compartments Interior centered zippered pocket 4 Bottom Prote...Category
1990s Italian Briefcases and Attachés
- Chanel Portfolio 1994 Rare Vintage Gold Top Handle Business Briefcase LambskinBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare Vintage Gold Top Handle Business Portfolio Briefcase Year: 1994 {VINTAGE 28 Years} Gold hardware Quilted lambskin leather Two Sided CC...Category
1990s French Briefcases and Attachés