Spring 2008 Couture: Valentino

After 45 years of dressing women impeccably, Valentino said his last goodbyes yesterday with one final couture collection.

The exit was consummately Valentino. Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, and newly-appointed Valentino designer Alessandra Facchinetti witnessed a parade of bright bubble coats, tiered gowns, floral prints and ladylike suiting. The finale was the ultimate symbol of Val's contribution to fashion: the red dress. A stream of models wearing that one red gown filed out at the end, sending the retiring designer off in style, as no other finale could. Farewell, Valentino!

For more Valentino couture, read more