New York ? Models look great on the runway and in advertisements, but Valentino, a designer known for his sexy dresses, likes to see real, regular women in his clothes because they “bring life” to a look.

“I’m not designing just for skinny women or women who are ‘beautiful’ like a goddess. … I’m designing for all women, the ones who are interesting, move well and are intelligent. Women have to give something to the dress, I don’t want them to be a wooden goddess,” he says.

He compares a great outfit to a dinner party: It should be an attractive backdrop to allow those with a sparkling personality to shine.

Among those who have shined in Valentino Garavani’s creations during the past 40 years are Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Grace of Monaco, Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett. Both Roberts and Blanchett wore Valentino gowns when they won their Oscars; Robert’s was the black gown with white trim and a fan-style back and Blanchett found herself on the top of many best-dressed lists this year thanks to her one-shoulder pale yellow silk taffeta gown and satin burgundy bow sash.

His designs are sold around the world but the Italian-based Valentino observes that American women have a greater appetite for evening gowns than anywhere else. “In America, it’s not quite the masses, but a lot of ladies like to get dressed up and they always seem to have somewhere to go,” he says.

The only place that might rival the United States is Monte Carlo, the small European principality known to be a playground for the rich and famous.

When he began his career at the age of 18, moving from a small town in Italy to Paris to apprentice under Jean Desses and Guy Laroche, just about every woman needed a dressmaker because there was no such thing as “ready to wear,” Valentino recalls. Women, who were less likely to be juggling jobs, family and other activities, also had more time on their hands to carefully consider their wardrobes.

He misses that a bit. “Now women have no time. They throw on slacks, a raincoat and scarf and they go.”

Valentino notices, however, that women in their 20s and 30s are beginning to pay a little more attention in their appearance.

“The young girls love to have beautiful shoes, bags, accessories,” he says.