‘Forever Valentino’, a fascinating exhibition that pays homage to the founder of the fashion house, Valentino Garavani, hosted by Qatar Creates, Qatar Museums, and Maison Valentino is underway at M7, Msheireb Downtown Doha’s design and innovation hub. Unveiled on 27 October 2022, the exhibition is the largest ever devoted to Maison Valentino and is the first presentation in the Middle East of the firm’s creative achievements.
Coinciding with the celebration of Valentino Garavani’s 90th birthday and the unveiling of the Valentino “The Beginning” Haute Couture collection in the heart of Rome, the exhibition is conceived as a vast panorama of the history of the fashion house, embedded in scenography that evokes the Eternal City, where Maison Valentino was established in 1959.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa said: “With the world’s eyes on Doha as we launch into our exciting schedule of events surrounding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, I am proud that we are welcoming the public to an exhibition that is as imaginative, glamorous, and elegant as the subject itself: the creations of Maison Valentino. I express my warmest thanks to everyone who collaborated with us to realize this tribute to a great artistic vision, and I look forward to continuing to share extraordinary explorations of the best of fashion and design.”
“Working on a fashion exhibition is an absolute exception for me and I couldn’t think of a better opportunity than presenting the work of Maison Valentino and collaborating with Pierpaolo Piccioli, Alexander Fury , and the many great teams that have made this exhibition possible. Working in Doha is always very special: it’s a place where dreams of artists come alive and working on this show has really been somewhat of a dream, or perhaps a ‘capriccio’, a flight of fantasy that only in Doha could become a reality,” said Massimiliano Gioni, curator of the exhibition and Artistic Director of the New Museum New York.
“Maison Valentino is one of the world’s most important fashion houses, led today by Pierpaolo Piccioli, undoubtedly one of the great designers of our time. It has been an honour and privilege to work alongside Massimiliano Gioni, Pierpaolo and the whole Maison Valentino team on this exhibition – on the awe-inspiring and slightly incredible task of bringing Rome to Doha, transporting a context along with Valentino’s creations. The legacy of Valentino Garavani – and therefore the meaning of Valentino – is to celebrate beauty, in all its incarnations, from every walk of life and every period of time. That noble quest, that ceaseless search for and celebration of beauty to better the world is, for me, Forever Valentino,” said Alexander Fury, fashion journalist, author, and critic.
Featuring over 200 Valentino Haute Couture pieces and prêt-à-porter outfits, ‘Forever Valentino’ is presented on mannequins by La Rosa and accompanied by accessories and fashion objects displayed in an immersive scenography. It weaves a richly textured image of the city of Rome with private memories from the Maison’s six decades-long history, including rarely seen ensembles designed for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and, more recently, Zendaya, along with stunning creations and virtuosic examples of Valentino’s excellence.
Curated by Massimiliano Gioni and Alexander Fury, along with Valentino’s Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, the exhibition also features ensembles from the private collection of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, a long-standing client of the fashion house.
Visitors can view the exhibition at Gallery 1 and 2, M7, in Msheireb Downtown Doha, till 1 April 2023. Tickets can be purchased through the Qatar Creates website, with special access and discounts for One Pass holders: www.qacreates.com. Launched as a gateway to arts and culture for all residents and visitors, the One Pass offers access to over 300 events and experiences, including art and cultural exhibitions, museums, live events, festivals, theatre, and musicals, throughout November and December 2022.