Designer closes an era in the history fashion - Italian fashion icon Valentino presents his final women's haute couture collection here in the French capital on Wednesday, closing the city's fashion week and ending an era in the history of fashion.
After 45 years at the top, Valentino announced last September that he would retire from an extraordinary career dressing the world's most beautiful and famous women.
''I believe the time is right to say good bye to the world of fashion. As the English say: I'd like to leave the party when it's in full swing,'' the designer told the press.
In July, the city of Rome celebrated the famed designer who set up his maison's headquarters in the Italian capital and where a museum will be created to host his drawings and creations.
Insiders said that the collection being presented here will not be a retrospective of Valentino's work but will certainly reflect his classic approach to fashion.
Valentino, whose full name is Valentino Garavani, was born in the industrial town of Voghera north of Milan on May 11, 1932.
At 17 he moved to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and apprenticed with Jean Desses and Guy Laroche before opening an atelier in Rome.
He quickly earned a celebrity following and joined forces with architecture student Giancarlo Giannetti, who became his lifelong companion as well as the financial brain behind his world-wide expansion.
Valentino credits Giannetti for allowing him to ''live in the clouds'' by keeping him away from the ''day-to-day chores of life''.
His most famous clients - often opting for trademark red creations - have included Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.
Jacqueline Kennedy wore Valentino when she married Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
In 2000 the American Council of Fashion Designers gave him its Lifetime Achievement Award, which is considered the Council's highest honour.
In 2006, he received France's most prestigious award, becoming a member of the Legion d'Honneur.
Valentino claims that the secret to his success is the fact he has never followed fashion trends.
''I never offended a woman nor made her look ridiculous.
I have always gone my own way and the result of this is that everyone else copies me,'' he said.
''What really disturbs me about some women today is that they have so much to choose from they don't know what to do any more. Brunettes go blonde and their hair colour comes out looking like clay. They walk on these ridiculously high heels and carry those dreadful embroidered bags.
''I can't stand it! Long live the simplicity of a white top and a pair of blue trousers!''.
On hand for Wednesday's show will be Alessandra Facchinetti, who will now be the sole creative director for luxury Valentino brand.
Her appointment was made public the day after Valentino announced his retirement and reflected the ''new approach'' the maison's new owners intend to impose. The Valentino Fashion Group was acquired last June by private equity fund Permira and its new management said it wanted someone young and commercially minded to lead Valentino into new markets after the founder's departure.
Speaking last October, Valentino Fashion Group CEO Stefano Sassi observed that ''Valentino Garavani was the driving force behind production and image for 50 years. And he has left us with a brand which has a strong and precise stylistic code''.
''We must now move on to another model through a radical change. No longer having a person of his caliber, we must somehow try to fill this void. And we will do this not with the creative vision of one person but with an organization, a leadership which will involve all sectors of management,'' he said.
In her new position, the 35-year-old Facchinetti, formerly head of womenswear at Gucci, will oversee the brand's complete line which will see former Dolce & Gabbana design assistant Antonio Pino responsible for womenswear while ex-Prada creative designer Ferrucio Pozzoni will be in charge of menswear and Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are responsible for accessories.
