Jeano Edwards
Fundamentals of Fashion
Designer Report
Valentino
“I know what women want, they want to be beautiful” Valentino Clemente Ludovico Gavarani whom is known only by his first name, Valentino. Valentino was born on May 11, 1932 in Lombardy north Italy. At the age of seventeen, Valentino followed his dream of becoming a designer and studied at the prestigious Ecole Des Beaux-Arts and at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. After being an appendix of Jean Desses for five years, he assisted to Guy Laroche in Paris for two years. His position with both designers prepared him enough to become a perfectionist to his designs. After his experience in France in 1960, Valentino went back to his natal land;Italy …show more content…
His designs balances tradition and innovation through the image of an iconic femininity that is both classic and chic (Steele, 389). The common factor in all of Valentino’s designs, are that his technical precise tailoring, bows, ruching, and draping along with the famous Valentino red. Valentino is known for all these key features put together in such a way that it expresses his company’s distinctive quality and look. Valentino’s fabrics are printed with flowers, dots, and his own initial (Steele, 389). His designs are described as a kind of beautiful memory, a modern reference to a different time (Steele, 388). His designs offer simplicity but eloquence, for example the iconic gold V on his handbags became an essential for the elegant woman of the time. The influence and impact of his work can be verified with examining the social status of his clientele, “In 1968 he designed Jacqueline Kennedy’s dress for her wedding” (Steele, 389). Other important and influential clients included Paola di Liegi, Princess Margret, princess Grace of Monaco, and many other well-known women. Valentino lengthened hemlines and introduced folk and gypsy motifs in the early 1970s. Throughout the 1970s his designs alternated between slender suits and harem pants coupled with maxi coats. “His 80s collection were characterized by sarong skirts gathered on the hip, draped garments, …show more content…
The movement away from the conservative fifties continued and eventually resulted in revolutionary ways of thinking and dressing. The youth were becoming a powerful voice and influence in the culture of the time. Valentino could not have started his clothing company, Valentino at a better time. This was a time where fashion was being influenced by the youth more than anyone else. This left adults especially the businesswoman somewhat uncatered to. Valentino’s designs and clothing catered to this gap in the market, with his eloquent designs that complimented the businesswoman. During the 1960s the U.S experienced its longest uninterrupted period of economic expansion to the date. This golden age of growth meant that people had more money to spend on “wants”, such as, extravagant clothes. This also aided in the success of Valentino at the