Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in global fashion and the founder of the luxury brand Valentino, has died at the age of 93. His death was confirmed on Monday by the Valentino Garavani Foundation, which said the designer passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by close family and loved ones.
In a statement shared on social media, the foundation described Valentino as a guiding force in fashion, praising his creativity, vision, and lifelong contribution to Italian style and elegance.
Funeral Arrangements and Tributes
Valentino’s body will lie in state at the foundation’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing the public and fashion community to pay their respects. His funeral service is scheduled to take place in the Italian capital on Friday.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led tributes, calling Valentino a symbol of Italian excellence and timeless elegance. She said his influence would continue to inspire designers and artists for generations to come.
A Designer Who Defined Italian Glamour
Born in 1932 in Voghera, near Milan, Valentino was named after film star Rudolph Valentino. His passion for fashion began early and was shaped by his exposure to opera, art, and cinema. He later credited a childhood visit to the opera Carmen as the moment he fell in love with the colour red — a shade that would later become his trademark.
After training in Paris under renowned designers including Christian Dior, Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, Valentino returned to Italy and launched his own fashion house in 1959. His designs quickly gained international attention for their refined silhouettes, luxury fabrics, and romantic elegance.
The Power of “Valentino Red”
One of Valentino’s most lasting contributions to fashion was his signature shade of red, now known globally as “Valentino Red.” The colour became so closely associated with the designer that it was later officially recognised by Pantone.
His final haute couture show in 2007 was a tribute to this legacy, featuring every model dressed in red as Valentino officially retired after more than four decades at the top of the fashion world.
Dressing the World’s Most Famous Women
Valentino’s designs were worn by some of the most famous women of the 20th and 21st centuries. His clients included Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Diana, Princess of Wales, and later stars such as Julia Roberts, Penélope Cruz, and Naomi Campbell.
Jackie Kennedy famously chose a Valentino gown for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1968, helping cement the designer’s global reputation.
Business Success and Life Beyond the Catwalk
Valentino’s longtime partner and business collaborator, Giancarlo Giammetti, played a key role in transforming the brand into a global luxury powerhouse. The pair sold the company in 1998 for an estimated $300 million. Today, the Valentino brand is owned by Qatari investment firm Mayhoola, with luxury group Kering holding a minority stake.
The designer’s glamorous lifestyle was captured in the 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, which showcased his jet-set life, private homes, and final creative moments before retirement.
A Complex and Influential Figure
While widely admired, Valentino Garavani was also known for holding traditional views on beauty and fashion that sparked debate later in his life. Despite this, his influence on couture, red-carpet fashion, and Italian luxury remains unquestioned.
After his retirement, the Valentino fashion house continued under several creative directors, most recently transitioning leadership to Alessandro Michele in 2024.
A Lasting Fashion Legacy
Valentino Garavani’s death marks the end of an era in fashion. His name remains synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship, and timeless luxury. From couture runways to Hollywood red carpets, his designs reshaped how the world viewed Italian fashion.
Though Valentino Garavani is gone, his creative legacy will continue to influence designers, fashion lovers, and global style for decades to come.
