Valentino Garavani: Italy's Top Designer

There isn't a lady of luxury anywhere in the world whose wish-list doesn't comprise an evening gown by him.

Couturier Valentino Garavani is Italy's most famous designer, his popularity rivalled only by the Pope. And for this year's Festa Italiana, the annual cultural festival put together by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce, Valentino is sending down his latest fashion collection (including his favourite red dresses).

Valentino's show will be staged at the beautiful environs of the 200-year-old Asiatic Society in Mumbai, on December 5, and at New Delhi's Purana Qila on December 8.

'I love India and have been there many times, but this time I had previous commitments I could not possibly postpone,' says the 72-year-old designer in an exclusive email interview. 'A catwalk show is the most powerful and emotionally involving way of presenting my work.'

The maker of elegant and glamourous clothes is quite the traditionalist. 'India's heritage is one of the most fascinating and inspirational of all,' he says. 'My 2002 haute couture collection was entirely inspired by India. But there have always been Indian themes running through all my collections. It's definitely a reference for my idea of beauty and grace.'

Though he claims to not follow Indian fashion or other designers, Valentino says India should not fall p

more: expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=39139 (1,510)

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