ROME - Rome rolled out the red carpet to welcome back Valentino Garavani, decking out a historic museum with his sweeping gowns and restoring an ancient temple by the Colosseum to host festivities celebrating the Italian designer.

U.S. actress Uma Thurman (R) and Australian model Elle McPherson pose for photographers on the red carpet as they arrive for Valentino's party at the Temple of Venus in Rome July 6, 2007. [Reuters]

While other top fashion names unveiled their latest collections in Paris this week, Valentino is marking his 45th year as a designer with a catwalk show and decadent galas in the city where he opened his first atelier in the 1960s.

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