Valentino to Launch Virtual Museum

And the results look to be very impressive indeed. Today Valentino and his long-term business partner Giancarlo Giametti have released a teaser of their new online virtual museum, a project which has been in the making for some years, and which will launch officially on December 5th. The downloadable desktop application will recreate a vast computer-generated museum in the architectural style of a Roman palazzo, and will focus on more than 50 years of the Italian couturier’s work.

Over 5,000 archival documents will feature, including sketches, photos and fashion show videos. With more than 300 dresses to ogle at, virtual visitors will be able to view dresses up close in 360 degrees of rotation, as well as learn the history of the dress, see campaign shots from the Valentino archive and revisit the iconic moments when stars such as Julia Roberts, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren wore the designer’s creations.

‘I see it as part of my legacy,” Valentino told WWD, “I am happy that thousands of students, young designers and fashion people will be able to see and study my work in every aspect of it, and in a manner easy and accessible for the younger generations.’

You can register for updates from the museum prior to launch by submitting your email address here. Try and get there before Grandma does.

<object width="448" height="252"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v59c8ked1TQ?version=3&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v59c8ked1TQ?version=3&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shoc