Jul 9, 2007

Valentino celebrates 45 years at top of fashion

Associated Press

ROME - Valentino is planning to paint the city red with festivities marking 45 years as the "numero uno" in Italian fashion.

The man who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis, spiffed up the look of once-shy Princess Diana and outfitted Julia Roberts the night she took home the Oscar, began celebrations with the opening Friday of a retrospective at Rome's Ara Pacis museum.

The anniversary brings Valentino back to the Eternal City for the first time since he packed his fashion bags for Paris 17 years ago.

The designer whose Pompeian red lipstick is a hallmark of his Mediterranean chic, on Saturday presents his couture collection for winter 2007-2008 in a medieval convent in the shadow of the Vatican. A Roman park is the setting for a gala ball Saturday night for 1,000 guests, including fellow designers, clients, and celebrities who jet-setted into the Italian capital to fete their friend. For the occasion, Valentino is launching his latest scent, Rock 'n' Rose Couture.

"I am filled with emotion," Valentino said at the opening of his retrospective in the modern, marble-and-glass venue designed by the American architect Richard Meier.

The exhibit, set up by Patrick Kinmonth and Antonio Monfreda, includes more than 200 outfits, as well as shoes and accessories. One room is lined with dresses worn by famous clients, each accompanied by a video showing when and how the dress was worn.

"What we wanted to create was a spiritual journey," Kinmonth said, pointing to a room with luxurious gowns hanging from the ceiling. He explained that the gowns were meant to give the effect of "floating ideas."

The heart of the exhibit is centered around the Ara Pacis monument, with its bevy of gilded goddess-like mannequins - their arms outstretched as if in prayer - girded in red, white or black Valentino gowns.

Among the visitors to the exhibit was Italian Premier Romano Prodi.

On hand to congratulate the designer at the opening was Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni, who announced the opening of a museum dedicated to Valentino and his fashion in a former city garage near the Roman Forum.

"Rome is making an effort to keep up with the beauty of Valentino's work," he said.