Italian fashion icon Valentino Garavani, the mastermind behind some of the world’s most celebrated evening gowns, has passed away at the age of 93. His foundation confirmed that he died at his Rome residence, surrounded by family.
The foundation shared, “Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones. The lying-in-state will take place at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, Rome, at 11:00 a.m.”
Born in Voghera, northern Italy, in 1932, Valentino honed his skills in Parisian haute couture before launching his eponymous fashion house in Rome in 1959. Early in his career, he became famous for his signature shade of scarlet, now known worldwide as “Valentino red.”
In 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti, then a young architecture student, who became his lifelong business partner and romantic companion for 12 years. Together, they elevated Valentino SpA into a globally recognised luxury brand.
Valentino’s designs quickly caught the eye of high-profile clients, including Elizabeth Taylor, who he met while she was filming Cleopatra in Rome. Other early patrons included Queen Paola of Belgium, Begum Aga Khan, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins, and Jacqueline Kennedy, who famously wore Valentino for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
His influence only grew through the decades. In the 1970s, he moved among New York’s cultural elite, mingling with Andy Warhol and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. The 1990s saw him embraced by supermodels like Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, cementing his role as a fashion powerhouse.
Valentino’s creations were a red-carpet staple. Jane Fonda wore a beaded gown in 1981, Julia Roberts dazzled in black-and-white in 2001, Jennifer Lopez appeared in a mint caftan in 2003, and Cate Blanchett stunned in yellow in 2005—many of these moments coinciding with Oscar wins. Anne Hathaway also walked the red carpet in Valentino in 2002, accompanied by the designer himself.
Even in recent years, stars including Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, and Gemma Chan have continued to showcase Valentino at major award events, highlighting the timeless appeal and enduring legacy of his designs.
Valentino Garavani’s passing marks the end of an era, but his influence on fashion and red-carpet glamour remains immortal.
