The designer

1986

Born and raised in Rome, Giambattista Valli holds a BA from Liceo as well as a degree in Art. Influenced by his city, his Roman roots, the movies of Antonioni and inspired by the discovery of French fashion through the water colors of Yves Saint Laurent and the drawings of Gruau, Giambattista decided to pursue his dream by enrolling in fashion school, the Istituto Europeo del Design of Rome, in 1986.

1987

In 1987 he began a foundation course in illustration at Central St. Martin’s School of Arts in London. Returning to Italy, he worked in the studio of Roberto Capucci. In his role as Capucci’s assistant, he was introduced to the dramatic haute-couture clothes and the bursting colors of the Roman master.

1990

In 1990, after a two year stint with Capucci, the Fendi family called him to oversee, as Senior Designer, the newly born Fendissime Line. There he experimented with prêt-à-porter in the world of the young hip Roman clientele.

Traveling restlessly between collections, he filled his imagination and mind continuously with many influences: India with Mina’s songs, the New York of Halston, Antonio Lopez and Bianca Jagger, Paris with Jeanne Moreau, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild and Jane Birkin, Fellini’s costumes, Gena Rowlands, Louise Bourgeois. He also spent time with the women of the café society who would become an important source of inspiration for the times to come.

1995

Giambattista moved to Milan, where he had been appointed Senior Designer for Krizia womenswear by Krizia-Mariuccia Mandelli.

1997

Two years later, his two great dreams became a reality – moving to Paris, the city he adored since his teenage years, and the opportunity to combine his prêt-à-porter and couture sensibilities – when he met Emanuel Ungaro.

2001

He headed the design studio alongside the master until 2001, when the management appointed him Creative Director for the prêt-à-porter, the Ungaro Fever line, the accessories and licenses.

2005

A few years later, Giambattista launched his own collection and in March 2005 held his first solo show in Paris. Giambattista Valli was thus born.

Opening of its headquarters in the historic building where Jean-Baptiste Lulli once lived in Paris.

2010

Giambattista Valli opened its first store rue Boissy d’Anglas. The 150 square meter space, is the first ever boutique dedicated entirely to Giambattista Valli ready-to-wear collections, furs and accessories including shoes, bags and jewelry.

2011

Nearly six years after the founding of his signature ready-to-wear house, Giambattista Valli showed its first Haute Couture collection in July 2011. The natural extension of Giambattista Valli’s culture, vision, and universe, the collection presents a modern concept of luxury and femininity which speaks to the wishes and lifestyle of his vibrant international clientèle.

2013

The Paris boutique was followed, in November 2013, by a namesake store in Milan, in the courtyard of an historic building in the city’s Via Sant’Andrea.

2014

Almost ten years since the launch of the signature brand, in September 2014, Giamba – a new ready-to-wear line – was launched with a runway show during Milan fashion week. The collection responds to the designer’s desire of expressing different sides of his personality and runs in parallel with the Giambattista Valli, one completing the other.

2019

Opening of a corner at New York City’s Bloomingdale’s.

2021

Launch of the “Love Collection” bridal line and “Beach club” beachwear line.