London’s Somerset House is celebrating the immense talent of designer Valentino through a unique exhibit: “Valentino: Master of Couture”. The perfect occasion to admire more than 130 of the designer’s creations, as well as a fascinating retrospective on one of the incontestable ambassadors of elegance.
While walking through a gallery of all of the design house’s cult-status creations, it’s impossible not to stop dead on your tracks in front of the mythical Jackie Kennedy dress. In 1968, Valentino dressed the First Lady up in white lace for her second marriage to Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. From the 50s up until today, we still haven’t gotten tired of retracing the steps of this artist who continues to inspire femininity. A more recent example: Julia Roberts’ long black dress with white straps worn to the Oscars in 2001. Totally glamorous!
Valentino once said “A woman dressed in black and white is for me a sort of sign, like writing, or calligraphy.” And yet, we often associate his name with the color red. Valentino’s trademark red can be spotted on a 1990 velvet dress worn by Elizabeth Taylor. When asked if she considered herself a fashion icon, the actress responded “The real fashion icons are the geniuses that I’ve been lucky enough to have had the chance to work with.” The first genius to come to mind? Valentino, of whom Liz Taylor was a huge admirer.
Today the “Valentino: Master of Couture” exhibit in London is paying homage to the designer and his label’s work. Look no further for the trade secrets of a truly exceptional individual: “I never was and still am not a revolutionary couturier. But I’m an innovator in the way I always look for new ideas to dress women.”
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