Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic is more than a classic fashion photo book: it is a multi-layered portrait of a lifetime achievement. Across more than 500 pages, the story of designer Valentino Garavani unfolds chronologically. It is accompanied by hundreds of photographs, sketches, and documents from both private and published archives. The visual concept does not follow pure aesthetics but a narrative attitude: fashion images, private moments, and atelier scenes are not only stylishly presented but appear as testimonies of an era. Thus, the book conveys not only Valentino’s style but also the societal transformation in which he worked.
© TASCHEN Verlag
Contributions by Suzy Menkes and Matt Tyrnauer meaningfully enrich the depth of the book by bringing together different perspectives. While Menkes emphasizes Valentino’s roots in the couture tradition, she also explores his resistance to fashion’s arbitrariness—such as his rejection of distressed or androgynous-neutral looks. Tyrnauer, by contrast, focuses more on Valentino’s biography and personal relationships, such as his bond with Giancarlo Giammetti. Both authors write in a tone that is not idealized but helps readers understand how Valentino’s attitude and his body of work were mutually reinforcing.
© TASCHEN Verlag
In a time when fashion is often dominated by speed and interchangeability, this photo book offers a quiet counter-narrative. It is not about backward-looking nostalgia, but about a notion of style rooted in consistency, measure, and dedication—qualities that cannot be expressed in numbers or clicks. The value of the book lies in its focus: it silently tells of beauty that doesn’t need a stage to be effective—and precisely because of that, gains relevance. It reminds us that elegance doesn’t need to be loud or trendy to unfold its impact.
Recommended Reading
More information about the book Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic can be found on the TASCHEN website.
| Title | Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic |
| Authors | Matt Tyrnauer, Suzy Menkes |
| Publisher | TASCHEN |
| Binding | Hardcover |
| Pages | 576 |
| Language | English |
| Publication Year | 2025 |
| Dimensions | 25 x 33.4 cm |
| ISBN | 978-3-7544-0069-2 |
| Price | 100 € |
Compliance
The book was kindly made available to us by the publisher. The presentation and rating of HYPERMADE remains independent of this and is based solely on the content of the book.
