The Rules of Style Interview with Valentino by Caroline Ardengue
	In his long career as a fashion designer, Valentino has dressed the most fascinating and seductive women in the world. Who better than he can talk about the art of seduction through fashion? "We live in a difficult world and our job is to seduce the reality of everyday life, transforming it into something more beautiful", begins the Roman fashion designer, who two years ago promoted an exhibition with the theme of seduction in the arts, at his palace headquarters near the Spanish Steps. How important is the concept of "seduction" in the fashion that you create? "It's the basis of my inspiration. The Valentino Woman is created to seduce. Her clothes are like a second skin, perfectly adapted for the game of conquest." What are the rules of seduction according to Valentino? "Only one: You must like yourself." It's been years now that you've decided to present your newest creations in Paris. Isn't Rome seductive any more? "On the contrary! Rome is so seductive that at times it even takes energy away from seducers like me." Would you say the scepter of this ancient art still belongs to women, or has it nowadays been passed to men? "The potential to seduce is the same, for both men and women. One can commonly think that women are armed with special talents that are more ancient and "fierce", but it's just that their weapons are different. Male power and the idea of protecting the female are just as seductive to women as femminine beauty is to men."