Keni valenti biography of michaels

A bona fide fashion legend, Keni Valenti has enjoyed a decades-long career as a designer, stylist, collector, and historian. In the ’s,the style maven turned his attention to vintage couture, gradually amassing a collection of 20, extraordinary pieces from designers as varied as Chanel, Halston, and Alaia alongside culturally relevant pieces, such as Madonna's Gaultier "cone bra" and one of Jackie O's engagement suits.

Born in Queens, NY, Keni's career in fashion began after meeting Betsey Johnson at New York's famed Mudd Club. Their encounter played a pivotal role in Keni assisting on her very first fashion show and led to establishing Valenti as a sought-after department store stylist and fashion presence.

A prominent fixture at Studio 54, Valenti was also part of the legendary team of personalities and stylists at Fiorucci, where he served as an accessories designer. The next natural evolution presented itself when, in , he opened up his first store in the East Village and focused on American designs primarily using denim, plaid, and chambray. After acquiring status as rarefied to his notable clients and being called, “The Next Halston” by Time Magazine, Valenti fielded many offers to buy his store and eventually sold to a Japanese investor who worked with him to cultivate his lifestyle brand. Keni lived in Japan and Paris while he was under contract but ultimately decided that wasn’t a good fit.

He returned to New York and again found himself in the center of New York's cultural zeitgeist, Valenti made clothes for the Club Kids who made haunts like the Tunnel, Limelight, and Palladium famous. He then decided to open up a salon on West 30th where Keni was on speed dial of very major fashion editor, stylist and designer. From Michael KORS, Tom Ford and Prada, Keni was the go to for all vintage couture.

Keni went to Miami and again being the pioneer he is, set up the Museum of Fashion in Wynwood which was not at the time the arts dest

Finding One’s Muse on the Road - December 14,

Join us for a virtual conversation with three artists spanning subjects, styles, and time zones. Meet photographer of Bahamian island life Alessandro Sarno (Milan), professional dog photographer Carlos Andres Cruz (Bogota), and eclectic muralist and graphic artist Ricardo Cavolo (Barcelona) — and join in our discussion of creative sparks, traveling as seeking, and finding artistic inspiration along the way.

Carlos Andres Cruz is a professional dog photographer based in Bogota, Colombia. On a visit to Miami Beach a few years ago, Carlos serendipitously came across Katie and Betsy, our hotel’s CEOs (Canine Executive Officers), playing ball on the beach. Carlos "was captivated by Katie’s ability to surf and retrieve the tennis ball at the same time" and began shooting. Katie (short for Katherine Hepburn) sadly passed away last year, and a new Golden Retriever puppy, Rosa,  arrived on the scene shortly after, taking on her role as assistant CEO and chief cheerer-upper to Betsy, who still misses Katie deeply. Carlos thought it only fit to add pictures of Rosa to the Underground Gallery, and we are proud to announce four new additions of Rosa to the collection in a new show called, “Introducing Rosa”.

Alessandro Sarno is a Milan-based artist who, having left his job in London, began his journey into photography in on the porch of the Betsy Hotel, before traveling to The Bahamas for the first time seeking sunshine and a new life. Before departing he purchased a camera and while there captured images that documented a transformative personal experience as he was introduced to deeply spiritual and colorful Bahamian cultural traditions. The Betsy is thrilled to bring Sarno’s artistic journey full circle by presenting his first (ever) Miami exhibit, called "The Spirit of a People: Portraits and Slices of Life in The Islands of The Bahamas".

Ricardo Cavolo is based in Barcelona and has a world

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Speaking fees for Keni Valenti, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Keni Valenti are Below $10, for live events and Below $10, for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Keni Valenti, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Keni Valenti speak about?

Keni Valenti is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Fashion, Design, Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle.

Where does Keni Valenti travel from?

Keni Valenti generally travels from Miami, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Keni Valenti?

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For all you youngsters out there Gene Meyer ties have been around for 21 years and counting. The first tie collection was launched at Bergdorf Goodman Men in November They purchased the entire collection and sold out in three weeks. The ties were on their way and eventually they were available in the best boutiques and department stores in the country.

Over the years many celebrities and stylish men have worn my ties -Vogue's Hamish Bowles, AD's Robert Rufino, fashion designers Geoffrey Beene and Isaac Mizrahi, interior designers Frank de Biasi and Robert Couturier, architects Robert Fox and Allan Greenberg, jazz great John Pizzarelli, Tony Award winner Rob Ashford, actor BD Wong, tv host and author Christopher Mason, broadcast journalist Charlie Rose, renowned past president of NBC entertainment Warren Littlefield and The Back Street Boys to name a few. I won the CFDA accessory award in for the tie collections. The success of the tie collections led to a full menswear collection in and in I won another CFDA award for the men&#;s clothing.

1.Ashton Kutcher and models wearing Gene Meyer for the S/S ad campaign shot by Stewart Shining 

2. S/S bow ties photo by Mark Roskams

1. Hamish Bowles wearing a F/W tie at the store opening Of Christian Dior 

2. Special colors for the Museum Of Modern Art's catalog, F/W  

3. Allan Greenberg wearing a Gene Meyer tie, F/W  

4.Ashton Kutcher wearing Gene Meyer for the S/S ad campaign shot by Stewart Shining 

5.Warren Littlefield wearing a Gene Meyer tie with Goldie Hawn at the NBC Winter TCA Press Tour,  

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I stopped production on the ties in and started up again in at the request of the ties many fans. Gene Meyer ties have become collectibles on E-Ba