You could study style for years, and still have scope to learn more. It’s an interesting topic that doesn’t always get the love it deserves, with some dismissing it as frivolous. We wear clothes everyday (although a duvet day now and then is compulsory), and wearing something you love can often change your mood. In homage to the dynasty that is style, this A-Z guide will bring you a little insider information on one of our favourite subjects, this week concentrating on all things V. Valentino Valentino Garavani, known for his glamorous designs, grew up in Voghera, Italy. He studied in Paris and honed his haute couture knowledge working with famed names such as Jean Dessés and Guy Laroche. By 1967, he was the first port of call for famous actresses, society dames and successful models in search of their dream dresses. The National Italian American Foundation honoured Valentino with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989. In 2000, to celebrate 40 years of Valentino haute couture, 40 red dresses were shown at Rome’s Piazza di Spagna and in 2003, a diffusion line by the name of Red (Red Eccentric Dress) was introduced. 2007 was the year Valentino announced his retirement and he showed his final couture show in January 2008. Former Gucci designer Alessandra Facchinetti was named creative director but after two seasons she was replaced by design duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli who remain at the helm of the brand today. Vince Camuto American shoe designer Vince Camuto can be credited with co-founding the footwear brand Nine West which was sold to Jones Apparel group in 1999. In 2001, Camuto launched the company Camuto Group providing design, sourcing, marketing and production services retailers. In addition to his work as a designer and businessman, Camuto is an active supporter of several charities including Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude's Hospital, Leukemia Society of America and The Domestic Abuse Awareness Foundation. Vera Wang Vera Wang was born in New York in 1949 and from a young age, her mother's interest in fashion influenced her. She met a Vogue editor while working in a Yves Saint Laurent boutique on Madison Avenue and in 1972, she began working at the iconic magazine title as a fashion assistant. The designer started by organising fashion shoots, accepted a job as a Ralph Lauren fashion designer in 1987 and then opened her own bridal boutique in 1990. Soon after that, Wang was designing dresses for famous faces including Sharon Stone and Serena Williams. Perfumes, cosmetics, jewellery, china and accessories followed. In 2009, Wang opened her first boutique outside the US in Qatar and today, well her dresses are simply divine. Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood first donned a pair of heels at the grand old age of 14 and said as soon as she put them on, she could walk perfectly. Her early career was as a schoolteacher in North London and in 1971, she opened a shop called Let It Rock with Malcolm Edwards, later known as Malcolm McLaren. The shop was renamed three times in the next ten years, changing to Too Fast to Live, Sex and World's End. Westwoods was now firmly on the fashion map and the following year, she launched her first runway collection. She was described as "a designer of the nineties" by Vogue and labels MAN and Anglomania followed. Kate Moss, Sophie Dahl and Keira Knightley have all been pictured in her designs. Versace Gianni Versace founded the company in 1978. Vogue editor Anna Wintour credited him with recognising " the value of the celebrity in the front row, and the value of the supermodel, and putting fashion on an international media platform". The label soon gained a celebrity following with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson wearing Versace in their video for Say, Say, Say in 1983 and in 1985 Sean Penn wore a Versace suit to marry Madonna. Gianni was awarded the Council of Fashion Designer Award (CFDA) in 1993. Gianni was murdered on the steps of his South Beach Home in 1997. His sister Donatella had her first solo show the following year and in 1999 designer Marco Zanini joined the company. Versace Sport was introduced in 2006 and the following year both Gianni and Donatella were inducted into the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style. The Versace Atelier show at this year's Paris Haute Couture Week was a highlight of the fashion celebration.