Valentino was given his name by his parents, after the Hollywood movie star Rodolfo Valentino. Interested in fashion while in primary school, his parents supported him when he moved to Paris to pursue his studies at the École des Beaux Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Subsequently he took on an apprenticeship with Jean Dessès. In 1960, he left Paris and opened his fashion house in Rome. That same year, he met his friend and long-time business and life partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.
In 1990, Valentino opened the Accademia Valentino in Rome for the presentation of art exhibitions. The next year he created L.I.F.E., an association for the support of AIDS-related patients, which benefits from the activities of the Accademia Valentino. In September 2007, he left the Creative Direction of his brand. While Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were initially appointed as joint Creative Directors, since July 2016, Pierpaolo Picciolo is the sole Creative Director of the Maison Valentino.
Valentino is also known for his red dresses, the color of which is a bright shade between carmine, purple and cadmium. “Valentino red” can be seen in this bag’s picture.
Against the Valentino red background, the exhibition’s mini dress is made of black-dyed raffia and bears an elegant fringe.