It’s no secret that I have been a lifelong fan of Valentino. It started when I was around 12 years old, religiously watching every single runway show on television. Many years later, I got married in a Valentino dress, which carried extra significance for me as it was part of one of Valentino Garavani’s last collections. My family purchased the dress for me in 2007 and I kept it unworn until the day of my wedding in 2015.

Founded in 1960 in Rome, Maison Valentino is a couture house that is steeped in romanticism, colour and craftsmanship. These concepts continue to permeate through all of its collections and releases. Since 2016, however, the House has been under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who has also brought innovation and modernity to Valentino.

Over the course of my fashion career, I have witnessed a lot of milestones for Valentino and I have always been a huge fan of their line of fragrances. One of my all-time favourites was V by Valentino, which was released in early 2005. I attended the launch when I worked as a photo director in Dubai, and it was a very memorable event, with a masquerade-style launch party.

I love the glamour and magic of Valentino. Their latest Born in Roma campaign is undoubtedly one of the prettiest fragrance campaigns of 2019, yet it is also filled with attitude and power. The campaign features models Adut Akech and Anwar Hadid.

For Her: Born in Roma Donna

Born in Roma Donna is a modern haute couture floral fragrance for women that consists of three jasmine flowers and accords blended with Bourbon Vanilla. This latter ingredient is one of the most expensive ingredients in modern perfumery. The key notes are Blackcurrant, Jasmine Grandiflorum and Bourbon Vanilla. This is twisted with a cool facet of pink pepper and a woody overdose. The bottle has a feminine transparent look, with pink and black branding highlights.

For Him: Born in Roma Uomo

Born in Roma Uomo is an excellent combination of sage, smoked vetiver, mineral salt and ginger. This fragrance for men has definite and unmistakable edge. Other notes include top notes of violet leaf absolute and cedar essence; medium notes of lavender and peppermint essence; and base notes of agalwood and guaiac wood essence. The bottle has a cool black tone, with pink branding highlights.

Both Donna and Uomo bottles are designed with the iconic Valentino stud, which continues to be a signature of Valentino couture and was inspired by Roman architecture.