Retiring Valentino says business ruining fashion

MILAN (Reuters Life!) - Business has ruined the fashion industry with young designers creating the same things, designer to the stars Valentino said on Monday, as the dapper Italian prepares to unveil his last catwalk show in Paris this week.

Valentino Garavani, known to the world by his first name, told Italian newspapers he was dreaming of gardening and designing opera costumes next after a 45-year career during which he has dressed European royalty and Hollywood stars.

"The world of fashion has now been ruined," the 75-year old, who became a byword for glamour, told Il Messaggero newspaper.

"I got rather bored of continuing in a world which doesn't say anything to me. There is little creativity and too much business. The young are all doing the same things."

Valentino, whose couture house was bought by private equity firm Permira, is widely ranked alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld as the last of the great designers from an era before fashion became a global, highly commercial industry run as much by accountants and marketing executive as by couturiers.

Of his fellow Italian desginers, Valentino said Giorgio Armani "had changed how to dress women", while Dolce and Gabbana "were a bit shy at first, now a little arrogant." Donatella Versace "is a woman who knows how to dress women", he said.

The designer, whose red scarlet evening gowns and conservative style made him a favourite for red carpet events, said he regretted not having groomed a successor. Former Gucci designer Alessandra Facchinetti follows in his footsteps.

"We haven't met. I gave her some advice, it will be up to her to find her way," Valentino said. "I regret not to have had the time nor the will to groom an heir."

He has many projects, such as a film about him, lined up.