Valentino Garavani

By: Joseph Jordan

“Elegance is the balance between proportion, emotion, and surprise.”

-Valentino

After two decades of elegance, fine simplicity and all-out glamour Valentino Garavani says goodbye to the fashion industry. On January 23, 2008 the last fashion show was held at the Musèe Rodin in France. There where over 900 guest including everyone from Uma Thurman to Cladia Schiffer to witness Valentino’s signature runway.

Since the opening of his fashion house in 1959 Valentino has dominated the ready-to-wear and couture market. He has won countless awards from the 1967 Neiman Marcus Award to Lifetime Achievment Award in 2000. His precisely tailored suits and elegant evening dresses noted him to be one of the greatest designers of our time.

The opening of the show featured model Natalia Vodianova, who seemed to float down the runway in a loose pink tunic and gleeful floral skirt, topped off with a big retro bow of a chapeau. Through the entire show earth tones and basic and pastel colors where worn down the runway. The creativity of the garments shown through paisley embellishments, fringe and outlines of lace.

Valentino’s Grand Goodbye, says, “When he took that last walk down the runway after a 45-year run at fashion’s highest reaches, he maintained his composure as his audience jumped to it’s collective feet in wild appreciation”. Valentino is know for his signature “Valentino Red”. The finale of the show featured a sea of “Valentino Red” silk evening dresses outlined the silhouette of every model. Backstage, all you could hear was the clinging of flutes of Champagne. In the room, full of tears Valentino told interviewers “I’m Happy”.