Unlike most boys growing up, Valentino Garavani never wanted to be a fireman, a policeman, a forest ranger, or an airline pilot. Imbued with an aesthetic sense and love of beauty from an early age, the future Italian haute couture dress designer knew where his destiny lay in making women stunningly gorgeous by dressing them in the most refined, elegant, and exclusive garments imaginable. To achieve his dream, Valentino left Italy at the age of 17 for Paris, the capital of post-World War II high fashion. Ten years later, he was in business for himself, and nine years after that, he was designing wedding dresses for such high-profile individuals as Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Valentino was soon creating evening gowns for international socialites and Hollywood movie stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, and many more. With lifelong personal and professional partner Giancarlo Giammetti, the House of Valentino went on to achieve stunning artistic and financial success. No one, it has been said, lived like Valentino, whose search for beauty led inexorably to la dolce vita, the "sweet life." Valentino covers the life of this fashion designer, from his upbringing in Italy to how he managed his successful career.
