Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, popularly known as Valentino, is an Italian fashion designer, business mogul and actor.
He retired at the age of 75 on 4 October, 2008, after showcasing his last women’s ready-to-wear designs in Paris.
In his official statement at that time, the fashion mogul said: “It’s the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion [having joined the booming industry in early 60s].
“Even as a young boy, my passion was to design, and I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life. There can be few greater gifts than that,” he added.
“I am especially grateful that I have been able to keep my own style over the decades, in spite of the many changes that have taken place in the world of fashion and in its business.”
Valentino is the founder of Valentino SpA [brand name and company]. His main clothing lines include: Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino.
The 85-year-old played some cameo roles on popular movies, “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Valentino: The Last Emperor.”
As narrated in “Private” by Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino in the early 1980s met his current boyfriend Bruce Hoeksema, who started as a model at Valentino to later become the vice president of the Maison.
