Uma Thurman @ Valentino Show

Uma Thurman arrives at the Ara Pacis for Valentino‘s Exhibition on Friday in Rome, Italy.

While other designers are unveiling their latest collections during Paris Fashion Week, Valentino is marking his 45th year as a designer in the city where he opened his first atelier in the 1960s. He even took the time to defend skinny models at a news conference.

“Designers have to show for the first time on the runway the clothes that they want to be seen, so automatically if the girls are skinny, the dresses are more attractive,” Valentino said. “If you put it on a girl and she’s a little heavy, not every dress looks sensational.”

On Thursday, Uma, 37, went sightseeing in Rome with her and ex-hubby Ethan Hawke‘s 9-year-old daughter Maya and 5-year-old son Levon. With bodyguards on hand, the couple strolled along the Via Veneto, stopped at the Spanish Steps and visited the Vatican museum.

35+ pictures inside of Uma, Maya and Levon…