Reddy to go: Valentino bids farewell with fiery fashion collection

He had dressed every major celebrity imaginable in the last five decades, from Jennifer Lopez to Jackie Kennedy.

But fashion designer Valentino finally called time on his glittering career last night as he showcased his final red-themed collection in Paris.

And, even if it was a tear-jerker for fans, the 75-year-old Italian was determined to make the show a joyful event.

"I don't want to be ridiculous and I don't want to be emotional," he said.

"I must be happy. I have had a fantastic career and I don't regret one moment of it."

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The celebration in Paris, complete with 75 outfits, brought an end to 45 years of glamour. Models dressed in striking vermilion dresses and glorious ruffled floral gowns sashayed down the catwalk, watched by Hollywood stars including Uma Thurman, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Charlie's Angels actress Lucy Liu also attended the event wearing a bizarre purple satin gown with huge pink puff ball sleeves.

"You really can't mention the name Valentino without immediately thinking of glamour," said Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar magazine.

"He really understood how rich women wanted to dress. That is something which sounds so obvious but, in fact, is very rare, and I think he will be dearly missed."

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One of his muses who could not be there was Carla Bruni - the fiance of French president Nicolas Sarkozy. "I tried to get her, but no luck, she's too busy," he said, referring to the constant speculation about when the couple will tie the knot.

The designer celebrated his label's 45th anniversary last July with three days of lavish parties in Rome. Valentino Fashion Group was bought by the British-based private equity firm Permira for £2billion, sparking rumours he was ready to retire.

Thanks to his multi-millionpound fortune, Valentino shares the lifestyle of his jet-set patrons. The perma-tanned couturier owns a chateau near Paris, a 46m yacht and an art collection including works by Picasso and Miro.

Although he will no longer be in the studio, Valentino has a full slate of projects for the months to come.

After a cameo in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, he will hit the big screen again in Valentino: The Last Emperor, a fly-on-the-wall documentary directed by Vanity Fair's Matt Tyrnauer. This will be followed by a fashion retrospective in June in Paris.

Valentino has strong links with France, where he learned his trade, and will be made an honorary citizen of Paris in a ceremony today.