Valentino Garavani

After returning from Paris where he studied, Valentino Garavani inaugurated his first studio in Rome in 1959. His first collection was based on precious materials and flamboyant colors. The Valentino red, a powerful, bright, poppy red appeared on the catwalk for the first time. A year later, in 1960, he collaborated with Giancarlo Giammetti to launch his eponymous brand. The label’s first collection was presented in 1962. Success was immediate as Jackie Kennedy was one of the brand’s fans. Very quickly, the Italian brand expanded its activities. In the 1970s and 1980s the label launched new men and women’s ready-to-wear lines, an accessory range and a fragrance line. Valentino Garavani retired from fashion in 2007, during a large Parisian show celebrating his 45-year career.

PierPaolo Piccioli studied fashion design at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome. In the mid-80s, he met Maria Grazia Chiuri, who became his work partner at Fendi in 1989. In 1999, the duo migrated to Valentino where they were in charge of accessories before managing the Red Valentino line in 2003. On October 4, 2008, the Roman partners were appointed Creative Directors of the main line. During this time, the brand released many bestsellers, including the Rockstud range. Eight years later, in 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri moved to Paris to become Creative Director at Dior. In July 2016, Valentino announced that Pierpaolo Piccioli would continue in his position solo.