Aside from Chris de Burgh and his 1986 “The Lady in Red” hit single, there’s one other man who calls to mind ladies dressed alluringly in red: Italian designer Valentino Garavani. In 1960 Valentino opened his atelier on the esteemed Via Condotti of Rome, founding his namesake brand. Sophisticated use of materials, captivating prints, glamorous silhouettes, radiant with the intention of bringing out women’s natural beauty—this is Valentino, still today enthusiastically revered for its sartorial elegance, with Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli now leading the brand’s current creative direction. A continually impressive list of clientele such as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Empress of Persia Farah Diba, actress Elizabeth Taylor, and a host of red carpet appearances, has brought Valentino’s name into the spotlight with honourable status.
