Valentino co-founder Giancarlo Giammetti’s glittering social circle
The most well-connected man you’ve never heard of! Valentino co-founder who shared unseen snaps of Princess Diana flaunts his social connections in snaps with the Beckhams, Olivia Palermo and Princess Olympia of Greece
- Giancarlo Giammetti, 82, is the former lover and business partner of Valentino
- He co-founded the Italian fashion label but has stayed out of the spotlight
- Despite his low profile, he has a social circle that any celebrity would envy
- Today he shared photographs of the Beckhams and Olympia of Greece
He holidayed with Princess Diana, is friends with the Beckhams and helped create one of the world’s most desirable labels… but the chances are you have never heard his name.
Giancarlo Giammetti, 82, is the former lover and business partner of Valentino Garavani, with whom he co-founded Italian fashion house Valentino in the 1960s.
Despite his low profile, Mr Giammetti has managed to surround himself with a dazzling social circle that any celebrity would envy. Close friends include Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece.
Last month the businessman shared unseen photographs of Princess Diana on board the Valentino T.M.Blue One yacht in September 1990, two years before her separation from Prince Charles.
Well-connected: Giancarlo Giammetti, 82, is the former lover and business partner of Valentino Garavani, with whom he co-founded Valentino. He shared photos today celebrating his ‘London group’ of friends, including Maria Sharapova and the Beckhams (pictured)
All out glamour: Mr Giammetti surrounded by a group of glamorous women including fashionista Olivia Palermo (right), supermodel Natalia Vodianova (in red) and Princess Olympia
Throwback: Last month the businessman shared unseen photographs of Princess Diana on board the Valentino T.M.Blue One yacht in September 1990, two years before her separation from Prince Charles. Pictured, Diana with Valentino and Kyril, Prince of Preslav
The photos, which show the suntanned princess posing with Mr Valentino and Kyril, Prince of Preslav, quickly swept the internet and were met with delight by royal followers desperate for any glimpse into the life of the late princess.
Fast-forward 30 years and Mr Giammetti is still mingling with the upper echelons of European society, as photos shared on Instagram reveal.
Posting today, Mr Giammetti wrote: ‘Missing my London group!!! Happy Holidays friends!!!’
The first photograph shows Mr Giammetti sandwiched between Victoria Beckham and tennis ace Maria Sharipova on a sofa in a plush living room. On a chair behind the group is David Beckham, casually dressed in a black roll neck.
Click through to the next photo and Mr Giammetti is surrounded by even more famous faces.
Party: The final photo shows Giammetti in a similarly lavish – and sociable setup – with the likes of socialite publisher Beatrice Vincenzini, who was married to hedge fund manager Hugh Warrender, in attendance. The photo is believed to have been taken last year
He is seated in a dark wood study, surrounded by a group of glamorous women including fashionista Olivia Palermo, interior designer Karina de Brabant Brignone and 24-year-old Princess Olympia of Greece.
The final photo shows Giammetti in a similarly lavish – and sociable setup – with the likes of socialite publisher Beatrice Vincenzini, who was married to hedge fund manager Hugh Warrender, in attendance.
The photos capture social events that have been few and far between this year.
Typically Valentino and Giammetti, who remain close, throw open the doors to Valentino’s 17th century French chateau to host a party.
Family affair: The photos capture social events that have been few and far between this year. Last year Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece was guest of honour at a formal dinner celebrating her birthday. Pictured, Giancarlo with Marie-Chantal’s daughter Olympia
Last year Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece was guest of honour at a formal dinner celebrating her birthday.
Giammetti and Valentino founded the Valentino label in 1960 and sold the brand in 1998 for $300million. Valentino designed his last collection in 2008.
The pair had a 12-year romantic relationship but that transitioned into one of ‘fraternal love’ several decades ago.
‘It’s a relationship with nothing sexual in it,’ Giammetti said in a 2004 interview. ‘Yet a great love remains, ancient, surviving.’
The pair have often said the key to their enduring relationship is having space from each other.
Group photo! A gaggle of designers, society beauties and royals gathered at the French estate for the celebration last summer, including Princess Eugenie’s friend Zoe de Givenchy
