Born in 1932 in Voghera, Italy, Valentino Garavani is the visionary founder of Maison Valentino. After studying at Paris’s École des Beaux-Arts and apprenticing under Balenciaga and Guy Laroche, he launched his Rome atelier in 1960. His 1962 debut at Florence’s Pitti Palace introduced the world to “Valentino red,” a signature of his opulent, feminine aesthetic. Garavani’s designs graced icons like Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sophia Loren. He retired in 2008 after a 45-year reign, leaving a legacy of timeless elegance that continues to influence fashion today.