A New Book Celebrates the House’s 60-Year History of Fashion and Opulence

The Valentino brand, founded in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, has long been synonymous with high-end fashion and opulence. A new book, “Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic,” chronicles the house’s 60-year history, featuring archival photographs, fashion layouts, and anecdotes from celebrity clients.

According to Giammetti, the founder of the Valentino brand, the house’s success can be attributed to its commitment to timeless, classic designs. “Fashion is not always seen as an art, and designers were not yet artists,” he said in a video interview from Rome. “We stuck to what we believed in, and that was a penchant for frothy, sensual, sweet-toothed glamour.” This approach to design has allowed Valentino to stand the test of time, with its designs continuing to be coveted by fashion enthusiasts around the world.

The book, written by Matt Tyrnauer and featuring an introduction by Suzy Menkes, showcases the house’s role in the invention of fashion P.R. and modern advertising. “Fashion was the most rarefied world for a certain set of women of a certain class who patronized these houses, who were not interested in publicity or marketing because they didn’t need it, but the world was changing,” Tyrnauer said in an interview. “Giancarlo Giammetti was at the vanguard of that.” This innovative approach to marketing has helped to establish Valentino as a leader in the fashion industry, with its designs and brand becoming synonymous with luxury and sophistication.

The book features stories from celebrity clients, including Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have all worn Valentino’s designs on the red carpet and in private. “I was drawn to the craftsmanship and elegance of Valentino’s clothes long before we became friends,” Paltrow wrote in an email. “I had grown up seeing women like Mrs. [Marella] Agnelli and Jacqueline Onassis in his creations, and Valentino became a brand I aspired to wear.” These stories provide a glimpse into the world of high-end fashion, where designers and celebrities come together to create unforgettable moments.

The book also explores the house’s history of dressing celebrities and maintaining friendships with people in the public eye. One story recounts how Gloria Schiff, a onetime Vogue editor, arranged a meeting between Jacqueline Kennedy and Valentino, resulting in the designer creating a wedding dress for the first lady’s marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968. This dress, which was not a custom design, but rather a dress from the current collection, was worn by Kennedy on her wedding day, and its image was featured on the cover of WWD.

Throughout the book, images from renowned fashion photographers, including Lord Snowdon, Bruce Weber, and Deborah Turbeville, showcase the house’s brightly pigmented signature shade of red, which is recognized as its own Pantone color. This iconic color has become synonymous with the Valentino brand, and its use in the book serves as a reminder of the house’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

The book also features stories from staff members, including Joan Juliet Buck, who was impressed by the house’s attention to detail, including someone ironing her bedsheets daily during a stay at the designer’s home in Capri. This level of service and attention to detail has become a hallmark of the Valentino brand, with its staff going above and beyond to ensure that every client feels like royalty.

As the book makes clear, Valentino’s legacy extends far beyond its designs. The house’s commitment to opulence and extravagance has become a hallmark of the brand, with images of the designer’s lavish lifestyle, including his 17th-century Château de Wideville in France and his yacht, featured throughout the book. These images provide a glimpse into the world of luxury and excess, where designers and celebrities come together to create unforgettable moments.

Overall, “Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic” is a must-read for fashion enthusiasts and anyone interested in the world of high-end fashion. The book provides a comprehensive look at the Valentino brand, from its early days to its current status as a leader in the fashion industry. With its stunning images and fascinating stories, this book is a true masterpiece of fashion literature.