Valentino Cologne: Who Crafts These Scents?

The house of Valentino, founded by Italian designer Valentino Garavani, has released a number of fragrances for both men and women. The first fragrance was released in 1978, and the most recent in 2024. Valentino fragrances have been offered by the company for a number of years, first in partnership with Procter and Gamble, and as of 2010, with Puig.

The house of Valentino was founded by Italian designer Valentino Garavani

Valentino SpA is the fashion house founded by Italian designer Valentino Garavani. Lines issued by the company include Valentino (Haute Couture and Ready-to-wear lines), Valentino Garavani (shoes and accessories), Valentino Roma (women's ready to wear) and RED Valentino (contemporary women's).

Valentino showed an early aptitude for fashion, apprenticing under an aunt and a local fashion designer in Voghera. Furthering his education in France at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, Valentino worked as an apprentice at Jacques Fath and later Balenciaga, Jean Desses and eventually Guy LaRoche. Valentino returned to Italy in 1959 to set up his own shop.

Capitalizing on what he learned from his time in Paris, Valentino established his company in great style. He earned praise for his red dresses, to the point that the fashion industry still refers to a particular shade of the color as "Valentino Red."

Making his international debut in 1962, Valentino was now on the map in the fashion world and began to dress a wealthy and important clientele from around the world. Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Princess Margaret were among his clientele, and he designed a series of six dresses which were worn by Jacqueline Kennedy in her year of mourning following her husband's assassination. Valentino would go on to design the wedding gown she wore for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis.

An all-white collection which was also the debut of Valentino's signature "V" logo earned praise and accolades in 1966, and Valentino was awarded the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1967.

An enduring success who is considered by many to embody the essence of Italian couture, Valentino has clothed the rich and famous and seen his empire spread to more than 70 countries. Valentino and his partner sold the company in 1998, and Valentino announced his official retirement from the industry in 2007, with a January 2008 show to be his last collection. Many of the top models who had worked with the designer over the years returned to model for the last show. Since 2008, the company has been under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpalo Piccioli, both of whom had worked with Valentino for more than a decade.

Valentino showed an early aptitude for fashion, apprenticing under an aunt and a local fashion designer in Voghera

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, known mononymously as Valentino, is an Italian fashion designer and the founder of the Valentino brand and company. He was born in Voghera, in the Italian province of Pavia, on 11 May 1932. Valentino showed an early aptitude for fashion while in primary school in his native Voghera, apprenticing under his aunt Rosa and local designer Ernestina Salvadeo, an aunt of noted artist Aldo Giorgini.

Valentino's interest in fashion began in primary school, where he was drawn to the art of dressmaking. He started to apprentice under his aunt, Rosa, and local designer Ernestina Salvadeo, who was an aunt of the noted artist Aldo Giorgini. This early training provided Valentino with a strong foundation in the techniques of fashion design and helped him develop his unique style.

Valentino's aunt, Rosa, was a talented seamstress and designer in her own right. She taught him the basics of sewing and pattern-making, as well as how to choose and work with different types of fabrics. She also instilled in him a sense of precision and attention to detail, which would become a hallmark of his designs.

Local designer Ernestina Salvadeo also played a significant role in Valentino's early fashion education. She was a well-respected figure in the Voghera fashion community and had a keen eye for emerging talent. Under her mentorship, Valentino honed his skills and began to develop his signature aesthetic.

During his apprenticeship, Valentino worked tirelessly to master the intricacies of fashion design. He learned how to draft patterns, cut fabrics, and construct garments. He also began to experiment with different materials and colours, developing a particular fondness for luxurious silks and his signature shade of red, which would later become known as "Valentino Red".

Valentino's early apprenticeship under his aunt and a local fashion designer in Voghera laid the foundation for his illustrious career in the fashion industry. It allowed him to refine his skills, develop his unique style, and build a network of connections that would prove invaluable in his future endeavours.

Furthering his education in France at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne

Valentino, the Italian fashion designer, furthered his education in France at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. The designer, known for his iconic red dresses, studied at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, which was founded in 1927 and has since become a leading fashion school in Paris. The school has trained some of the greatest talents in the creative professions, including Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino himself.

The École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne is known for its excellence in "à la française" and has produced alumni who are now heads of ateliers, designers, directors, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs. The school offers a range of educational programs, including vocational training and doctoral-level programs, that nurture the creative talents of tomorrow.

Valentino's time at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne helped shape his career as a designer and contributed to his success in the fashion industry.

Working as an apprentice at Jacques Fath and later Balenciaga, Jean Desses and eventually Guy LaRoche

Valentino, the maker of Valentino cologne, gained much of his experience working as an apprentice under some of the most renowned fashion designers of the 20th century. This included stints at the houses of Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Jean Desses and Guy LaRoche.

Jacques Fath, an esteemed perfume and fashion house, was founded in 1946 and is known for its exquisite fragrances. Their perfumes are described as "divine" and "unique", with their signature scent, Iris Gris, considered a timeless masterpiece. Working with Fath, Valentino would have been exposed to the intricacies of perfumery and the creation of olfactory masterpieces.

Moving on to Balenciaga, Valentino would have further honed his skills in fashion and design. Balenciaga is renowned for its innovative and contemporary designs, offering a unique perspective on fashion. The house of Balenciaga is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, which would have undoubtedly influenced Valentino's aesthetic sensibilities.

Under Jean Desses, a world-leading fashion designer in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Valentino would have gained invaluable hands-on experience. Desses' designs were influenced by his travels, specialising in draped evening gowns that reflected early Greek and Egyptian styles. Valentino's apprenticeship with Desses would have provided him with a deep understanding of couture and the creation of elegant, worldly designs.

Finally, at Guy LaRoche, who was Desses' assistant in the 1950s, Valentino would have completed his apprenticeship journey, bringing together the skills and knowledge gained from these esteemed designers. LaRoche, known for his own distinctive style, would have offered Valentino a unique perspective on fashion and design, rounding off his training and providing him with the tools to create his own signature style.

Through these apprenticeships, Valentino would have developed his own sense of style and craftsmanship, combining the influences of these renowned designers to create something unique.

Valentino returned to Italy in 1959 to set up his own shop

In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy and set up his own shop in Rome on the posh Via Condotti with the backing of his father and an associate. The premises resembled a real "maison de haute couture". Models flew in from Paris for his first show. Valentino became known for his red dresses, in a bright shade that became known in the fashion industry as "Valentino red".

In 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti, and the two would go on to have a long-lasting partnership. Giammetti would shortly thereafter abandon university to become Valentino's business and life partner.

In 1962, Valentino's international debut took place in Florence, the Italian fashion capital of the time. In 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy contacted Valentino after seeing a two-piece ensemble in black organza worn by Gloria Schiff, the twin sister of Valentino's friend Consuelo Crespi. Kennedy ordered six of his haute couture dresses, all in black and white, and wore them during her year of mourning following President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Valentino would later design the white gown Kennedy wore at her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.

In 1966, Valentino moved his shows from Florence to Rome, where he produced an all-white collection that became famous for the "V" logo he designed.

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