Andrew H. Walker, Pascal Le Segretain, Jeff Vespa/Getty Images; Norman Scott/startraksphoto.comJust how iconic is Valentino Garavani? (You know, aside from being able to operate on a first-name-only basis.) The Italian fashion designer's ultra-feminine couture creations have made their way from the red carpet to the coveted exhibit halls at London's Somerset House for a special exhibition appropriately called Valentino: Master of Couture.
But if you can't make it to London to view Valentino's red carpet hits, like the black-and-white vintage dress Julia Roberts wore when receiving her Best Actress Oscar in 2011 or the dress he designed for good friend Audrey Hepburn, the master himself is giving you a personal tour of the exhibit in a short film.
"To me it was very important to give the essence of femininity, the essence of glamour, and essence of haute couture, the perfection and the dress," Valentino explains about his designs in the video. "It's like a sculpture that is done in the body of the lady."
It's a philosophy that stars continue to love to date. Just this past weekend, Frieda Pinto stepped out in strapless floor-length gown in Valentino's go-to glam red hue, while Jessica Alba reached for a pale pink princess-like creation from the designer's resort 2013 collection back in May. And every award season, celebs continue to reach for his couture confections, like Claire Danes, who wore his gorgeous ruffled silk organza gown at the Vanity Fair party Oscar party this year.
Watch the video to see what other red carpet gems are on display, and to hear which dress Valentino loves so much, he wishes he could keep it in his bedroom! And if you're still not satisfied—and a trip to London isn't on your schedule any time soon—check out the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum.