Stunning Fashion Designs in the 1960s and ’70s by Valentino

Born 1932 in Voghera, in the province of Pavia, Lombardy, Italy, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, known mononymously as Valentino, is an Italian fashion designer, the founder of the Valentino brand and company. His main lines include Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino.

Fashion designs in the 1960s and ’70s by Valentino

Valentino became interested in fashion while in primary school in his native Voghera, when he apprenticed under his aunt Rosa and local designer Ernestina Salvadeo, an aunt of noted artist Aldo Giorgini. His international debut took place in 1962 in Florence, the Italian fashion capital of the time.

Throughout the 1970s, Valentino’s womenswear for both couture and ready-to-wear generally followed the trends of the time, opening the decade with an emphasis on midiskirts worn over miniskirts, fitted, knee-high boots, trousers, and some ethnic looks, mostly with a fit-and-flare silhouette.

On 4 September 2007, Valentino announced that he would retire fully in January 2008 from the world stage after his last haute couture show in Paris. He delivered his last women’s ready-to-wear show in Paris on 4 October.

In 2006, Valentino appeared in a cameo role, as himself, in the hit movie The Devil Wears Prada. On 6 July 2006, France’s President Chirac awarded Valentino the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur. Take a look at these stunning photos to see some of his fashion designs in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ivana Bastianello in coral print satin tunic worn over red crepe pants by Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1960s

Mirella Petteni in coat by Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1960s

Mirella Petteni in Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1960s

Model in red wool suit, jacket has diagonal pockets and flaps by the shirt style collar, worn with leopard print hat by Valentino of Rome for his 1964-65 Autumn/Winter collection

Virna Lisi (wearing a wool coat by Valentino, of his couture collection for the Autumn/Winter 1964/65, and a Van Cleef “butterfly” brooch) photographed during a press conference in New York, 1965

Virna Lisi in sequined zebra-striped dress with ostrich feather trim by Valentino, photo by Angelo Frontoni, October 1965

Virna Lisi in Valentino's signature red evening ensemble of chiffon gown with long satin coat covered in ostrich feathers, photo by Angelo Frontoni, 1965

Virna Lisi in white mink hat and suit by Valentino, photo by Angelo Frontoni, 1965

Virna Lisi in window-pane check suit and white mink hat by Valentino, photo by Angelo Frontoni, October 1965

Veruschka is wearing striped wool full-length coat over striped chiffon dress by Valentino, photo by Henry Clarke, 1966

Benedetta Barzini in a mosaic evening dress by Valentino, coiffure by Alexandre, photo by Henry Clarke in the Benedictine cloister at Monreale, Sicily, Vogue, December 1, 1967

Mirella Petteni in tunic and trousers by Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 1967, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri

Mirella Petteni, Valentino Couture Spring/Summer collection 1967, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri

Mirella Petteni, Valentino Couture Spring/Summer collection 1967, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri

Raquel Welch in blue crêpe halter gown by Valentino, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, 1967

Virna Lisi wearing a Valentino coat (of red wool, of his couture collection for the Autumn/Winter 1967/68) and photographed at a park in Rome for Vogue Italia, 1967

Audrey Hepburn wearing evening dress by Valentino (from his White Collection), photographed at the Sistina Theatre, Rome, Italy, September 1968

Benedetta Barzini and Mirella Petteni both in Valentino's Delft-blue inspired silk evening dresses, photo by Henry Clarke for Vogue, 1968

Marina Schiano in Taroni silk print dress by Valentino, hair by Suga of Kenneth, photo by Henry Clarke at Zapotecan Temple, Oazaca, Mexico, Vogue, 1968

Marisa Berenson in Valentino's long coral print tunic top over red crepe pants, photo by Arnaud de Rosnay on the isle of Capri, Vogue US, January 1, 1968

Mirella Petteni in Valentino Fall/Winter collection of 1968/69, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri

Mouche is wearing pink mousseline dress with ostrich feather skirt by Valentino Boutique, photo by Jeanloup Sieff, Vogue Italia, November 1968

Silk serge gown with handpainted coral motif is from Valentino's Spring/Summer collection of 1968, photo by Ruven Afanador

Berkeley Johnson in dress with lace and ostrich feather shawl by Valentino, make-up by Gil Cagnè, hair styled by Dina, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, Vogue Italia, 1969

Veruschka in white fox-collared dress by Valentino, jewelry by Bvlgari, makeup by Olga and hair by Albe e Francesca of Italy, photo by Franco Rubartelli, October 1969

Models Viviane Fauny and Christiana are wearing elaborate silk print Turquerie coats by Valentino with turbans and scarves in the tent room in the Rome apartment of fashion designer Valentino, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, 1970

Audrey Hepburn is wearing pearl embroidered gown with moss green sash by Valentino and blonde curly wig by Alexandre, photo by Henry Clarke in the grove of a castle near Rome, May 1971

Anjelica Huston in Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, 1972

Anjelica Huston in Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, 1972

Christiana Steidten, fashion by Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1972

Pat Dow in Valentino Haute Couture, photo by Jean Jacques Bugat, Vogue Italia, spring 1972

Raquel Welch in blue crêpe halter gown by Valentino, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, 1972

Jeanette Christiansen in chiffon dress by Valentino, photo by Barbieri, Vogue Italia, March 1974

Audrey Hepburn wearing Valentino is photographed by Douglas Kirkland in Italy, August 1975

Audrey Hepburn in beautiful pink dress by Valentino and necklace by YSL, photo by Elisabetta Catalano in Rome, 1976