Valentino, through its unique properties

“I fulfilled my lifelong dream: to create women’s clothing,” said Valentino in Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.

Throughout his career and life, Valentino had the freedom to be everything he aspired to and to fulfil his greatest desire: shaping beauty. Yet Valentino Garavani’s influence extended beyond fashion: he brought elegance to everything he touched. To understand his aesthetic vision, we take a journey through three of his five extraordinary residences:

• The villa in Rome, on the Appian Way;
• Wideville Castle, a 120-hectare estate in Davron Crespières, near Paris;
• Chalet Gifferhorn in Gstaad.

The Villa on the Appian Way in Rome

Elegance defines every creation by the artist, and his ‘obsession with beauty’ is equally evident in his residences. The lavish Roman villa is a sumptuously decorated ‘country’ retreat, infused with a distinctive aesthetic and adorned with floral patterns.

Purchased in 1972 and decorated in collaboration with fashion designer Renzo Mongiardino, the property also houses one of Garavani’s favourite paintings: a portrait of a woman by Bronzino.

Reflecting on the acquisition, Valentino explains:

‘I simply had to have that painting, no matter the cost. I was obsessed with it. Paintings are fascinating; they create a certain energy. A piece doesn’t need to be signed by a great master to captivate me. In England, I recently bought a 19th-century Flemish still life, a basket of cherries. I just can’t stop looking at it.’

Wideville Castle, near Paris

The second residence on our list is the stunning Château de Wideville, located in Davron Crespières, near Paris, and acquired in 1995. Built in the Louis XIII style with red brick and white quoins, the château looks as if it has been lifted straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Those fortunate enough to admire its beauty will find:

• Over 120 hectares of grounds;
• A collection of remarkable artworks;
• Exquisite interior design elements.

Traces of a distinguished past (originally a 16th-century residence), the château later became the home of Louis XIII’s finance minister.

For centuries, the château remained in the hands of noble families before evolving into a masterpiece of classical and Rococo design. This transformation was overseen by renowned interior designer Henri Samuel, who, in collaboration with Valentino, meticulously curated the interiors. The result is an elegant fusion of 19th-century French style with decorative influences from Imperial China.

Not to mention the elegant garden, adorned with fountains, pavilions, a variety of roses, and an artificial grotto known as the Nymphaeum.

The Gifferhorn Chalet in Gstaad

Valentino purchased the Gifferhorn Chalet in Gstaad, drawn not only by its stunning mountain views but also by its charm. This residence, which often played host to the designer’s intimate birthday and New Year’s Eve gatherings, was furnished in a style that, as Vogue America’s fashion editor André Leon Talley described, evokes a ‘rare, opulent and warm’ ambience.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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