After working in the fashion industry for 45 years, it may have seemed a little unfitting to have a celebration last only a night. So Mr Valentino Garavani celebrated his 45 years in fashion over 3 days, from July 6 – 9 in his home country of Italy. It is probably fitting as this is a man who made a colour all his own, red. It is officially called Rosso Valentino (a combination of 0% Cyan, 100% Magenta, 100% Yellow, 10% Black) and is always used in the design of his timeless gowns.
The three days of festivities kicked off at the 2,000 year old Ara Pacis (Arch of Peace) museum which is exhibiting up to 300 of Valentino’s favourite pieces from the last 45 years. It was then followed by a dinner in the Temple of Venus in front of the Colosseum. The next day, Valentino broke a 17 year tradition and showed his Fall 2007/08 Haute Couture collection in Rome in the 1,400-year-old complex of the Santo Spirito. It was followed by a grand ball that night in the Parco dei Daini of the Villa Borghese.
The weekend is due to have rounded off with Valentino will launch the house’s latest perfume, Rock ‘n Rose Couture, which I presume to be a twist on Valentino’s Rock ‘n Rose fragrance.
With celebrations like this, a cast of royalty, celebrities and fashion folk arraived in Rome. Names like Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Tally, Tom For, Donatella Versace, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Claudia Schiffer, Anne Hathaway, Sienna Miller, Uma Thurman, Elizabeth Hurley, Joan Collins, Elle Macpherson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Hudson, and Natasha Richardson were said to have been in attendance.
bravo Valentino!