ROME — Valentino is planning to paint the city red with festivities marking 45 years in fashion.The man who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis, spiffed up the look of once shy Princess Diana and outfitted Julia Roberts the night she took home the Oscar, began celebrations with the opening Friday of a retrospective at Rome’s Ara Pacis museum.

The anniversary brings Valentino back to the Eternal City for the first time since he packed his fashion bags for Paris 17 years ago.

Today, the designer intends to present his couture collection for winter 2007-2008 in a medieval convent in the shadow of the Vatican. A Roman park is the setting for a gala ball tonight for 1,000 guests, including fellow designers, clients and celebrities who jet-setted into the Italian capital to fete their friend. For the occasion, Valentino is launching his latest scent, Rock ‘n’ Rose Couture.

“I am filled with emotion,” Valentino said at the opening of his retrospective in the modern, marble-and-glass venue designed by architect Richard Meier.

The exhibit, set up by Patrick Kinmonth and Antonio Monfreda, includes more than 200 outfits, as well as shoes and accessories. One room is lined with dresses worn by famous clients, each accompanied by a video showing when and how the dress was worn.

“What we wanted to create was a spiritual journey,” Kinmonth told The Associated Press, pointing to a room with luxurious gowns hanging from the ceiling.