In 1989 Carmen Marc Valvo set out on a path that would unknowingly lead him to found his eponymous label and become one of 7th Avenue’s most steadfast independent brands. He has been exploring his soul’s desire to bring glamorous dressing to every woman’s life ever since. His elegant eveningwear is now a staple at high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, Bergdorf Goodman, and countless others nationally and internationally. TIME Magazine stood up and took notice of Carmen after his Fall 2005 collection in a feature story saying “While other designers seek to shock, Valvo’s creations shine in the marketplace.” His label now appears on couture gowns and cocktail dresses, his swimwear is a best seller at Victoria’s Secret, and he also designs sunglasses / eyewear, lingerie, and home décor.
Along the way, his designs have ended up on some of the world’s most sophisticated, talented, and glamorous women including Beyonce, Katie Couric, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Winslet, Eva Longoria, and Mary J. Blige, just to name a few.
Valvo grew up in a traditional Spanish/Italian family in Westchester County, New York. His father worked as an anesthesiologist and his mother as a nurse, so it is not surprising that they hoped he would one day join the medical profession. But after volunteering to work a few sessions in the ER, he turned, instead, to a degree in Fine Arts at Manhattanville College. After spending a few years traveling in Europe — exploring the rich cultural tapestry and becoming proficient in several languages — a car accident would force Valvo to return to the United States, but allowed him to set his sites on a career in fashion. After his recovery, he enrolled at Parsons School of Design in New York.
Valvo’s professional career began as a ready to wear designer for Nina Ricci in Paris, followed by a stint at Christian Dior. By 1989 he was ready to launch his own label. With only a few thousand dollars, Valvo fearlessly pulled together a collection to show to department and specialty stores at the fall market in New York. His sportswear line was an instant success and was brought into several top stores, but it was his eveningwear collection, his true passion, that captured the hearts of buyers at both Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
During NYC’s Spring/Summer fashion week in 2005, Valvo joined Katie Couric, the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA), the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Olympus, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Anna Wintour, for the "Be Seen, Be Screened" campaign at Bryant Park. It was there that he revealed his personal struggle with colorectal cancer. Since then Carmen has become an Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) Ambassador and has given both his time and money to the organization, which has helped raise millions of dollars for colon cancer research. His efforts, on behalf of the organization, were honored at a gala in March 2006 in New York where Carmen received the first ever Advocate Award from Katie Couric. He has appeared on the covers of Coping with Cancer magazine and AARP’s Segunda Juventude and has received various awards for his commitment to the cause, including the President’s Award from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Man of Honor award from Gilda’s Club World Wide, and a proclamation from the Mayor of Tulsa Oklahoma for his dedication to Tulsa Project Woman, a breast cancer organization.
Carmen Marc Valvo , World Renowned Fashion Designer, Cancer Survivor & Awarness Advocate, is available through IMG Speakers bureau for speaking engagements. Carmen Marc Valvo is also available for panel discussions, leadership events, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Carmen Marc Valvo.
