Valentino: Themes and Variations Hardcover – Illustrated, 1 May 2008

This coffee table size book is a magnificent tome for lovers of Valentino who would like more than just a digital library to view some iconic dresses by and a closer detail and description of some of his signature stitching and sewing styles, not how tos. A goodly number of the dresses were in the exhibition at Somerset House, London too and will have featured in the trailer for the Digital Library, this provides a close up view/s and details of some, not all. It is themes an dreams for the those who love Valentino, it is not an anthology, nor a guide for students. therew at the exhibition a very large tome which cost £100 s which might be available as a retrospective elsewhere and at great cost. All copies were sealed.Beautifully shot, as it should be, this book provides good memories of some seasons collections, some iconic reds and older items from the earlier years which were patronised by Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, Elisabeth Taylor, European royalty and these days celebs who have worn some Prive dresses. The Julia Roberts Oscar Winning gown < and companions> are all shown, but this is not a roll call of celebrity pictures - this is couture themes and dreams some with the matching accessories so the theme or dream is viewed complete ( as at Somerset House) this is not a guide to the show, but it provides a lovely series of memories from the Valentino private couture collection and a good glossary of the terms used is at the back. With the exhibition handout, this makes a nice -if expensive - guide to some of my favourites in the show I so much enjoyed, but not all my favourites and not all the outfits nor the privately owned items that were on loan, nor the privately owned non textile parts of the exhibition. Perhaps there might be a show retrospective book, probably not so this is the closest I will have, and I love it.

Perfect coffee table book.

Fabulous fabulous fabulous what’s Not to likeValentino

Responded already

I bought it for a friend, and she loves it!

Complements the exhibition we saw some time ago.

I collect books on couture and was given this as a gift. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani best known as Valentino is an Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino brand and company. In the 1950’s he did his apprenticeship in Paris at the houses of Jacques Fath, Balenciaga and Jean Desses. He then joined Guy Laroche for two years before returning to Italy where he set up his own label in Rome in 1959.Valentino's international debut took place in 1962 in Florence, the Italian fashion capital of the time. One of his most famous early clients was Jacqueline Kennedy and Valentino would later design the white dress worn by Kennedy at her wedding to Greek tycoon Aristotle Onasis. Valentino then established his name and brand in the USA throughout the 1970’s, becoming very much a part of the 'Studio 54' celebrity scene.His name has been synonymous with high fashion for almost fifty years and although based in Rome, Valentino was the only Italian couture house recognized by the French government outside of Paris.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.On the occasion of his last couture collection, presented in Paris in the spring of 2008, this landmark book was published to celebrate 45 years of Valentino’s remarkable career and focuses on Valentino s haute couture creations. There are original sketches, behind-the-scenes runway images, photos of fittings, and the atelier at work, as well as his ad campaigns over the years that celebrate this legendary talent in all his glory. The book isn't just a retrospective, but the essence of his Haute Couture.The book provides pictures from some of his collections with some iconic reds and older items from the earlier years when the house was patronised by the likes of the great Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and European royalty.Valentino’s great wealth has enabled him to live a lavish life, one that blocks out all that is ugly providing a life that is surrounded only be luxury, great beauty, expensive art, magnificent houses and glamour. All of this is reflected in his haute couture.

recived this book for my birthday after leaving it on my wish list and what can i say but this book is excellent it gives you an insight into the world of one the best designers of our time with great info and proper pics of backstage and drawings etc.. a must for anyone who loves fashion