Why did movie stars and supermodels love Valentino? Simply because his classically elegant and feminine designs made women look utterly glamorous. The Italian maestro started his career in Paris where he studied design and worked at houses Dessus and Laroche before going back to Rome to set up his business in 1959. Since then, his fabulous frocks have been the Oscar night outfit of choice for the Hollywood A-list, from Liz Taylor to Julia Roberts. In 2008, his final collection received a standing ovation, and the label is still proving it can stand sans le maestro.

"I have learned so much from working with actresses, all about Hollywood. They don't have a normal woman's expectations of walking into a party. They are thinking all about an entrance."