Nurture Yourself - Visit Valentino's Virtual Museum

Photograph by Jean-Paul Goude, Harper's Bazaar June 2007. 

Since I can remember, Valentino has been one of, if not my favorite of the haute couture designers.  When he retired in 2007, it was the end of an era for one of the most famous and storied fashion houses. You may remember the vintage black and white Valentino gown Julia Roberts wore when she won her Best Actress Oscar for Erin Brockovich.  Jackie Kennedy wore Valentino for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1968.  

Clockwise from top left: Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Anne Hathaway and Keira Knightley, all in Valentino Haute Couture. 

On Monday, December 5th, Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetto will be opening a virtual museum, focusing on his work over the last 50 years. The museum will contain over 5,000 images, from photographs to illustrations, as well as 95 fashion show videos and interviews.  The site is arranged like a museum allowing the visitor to explore different galleries and wings to see the incredible work of this visionary designer. Check out the introductory video for the museum here. I guarantee you will want to visit!

To visit Valentino's online museum, go to: http://www.valentino-garavani-archives.org.

Footnote:  The 2009 documentary, The Last Emperor, is a wonderfully entertaining film chronicling Valentino's entire career, from his chance meeting with partner Giancarlo Giammetto at a sidewalk cafe, through his financial and creative struggles, and ultimately his incredible success.  If you love fashion, it is a must see.