Creator of the iconic โValentino red,โ the designer shaped decades of global glamour and elegance
Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in modern fashion, has died at the age of 93. Revered for redefining elegance and luxury in the second half of the 20th century, Valentino dressed generations of royalty, Hollywood stars, and cultural icons, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape global fashion.
A statement shared by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation confirmed that the designer passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by close family. Valentino will lie in state at Piazza Mignanelli in Rome on 21 and 22 January, allowing the public to pay their respects. His funeral service will take place the following day at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs.
Born in May 1932 in Lombardy, northern Italy, Valentino showed an early passion for design. At just 17, he moved to Paris to study at the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, where he refined his skills and absorbed the traditions of French haute couture. He later worked alongside some of fashionโs most respected names, including Jacques Fath, Cristรณbal Balenciaga, Jean Dessรจs, and Guy Laroche.
In 1960, Valentino co-founded the Valentino fashion house with his longtime business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. The brand quickly gained international recognition, placing Valentino alongside contemporaries such as Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld. His designs became synonymous with refined glamour, meticulous craftsmanship, and timeless silhouettes.
One of Valentinoโs most enduring contributions to fashion was his signature shade, widely known as โValentino red.โ Inspired by a visit to Spain early in his career, the bold yet elegant color became a defining symbol of the brand. The hue featured prominently throughout his collections and reached a symbolic peak in his final haute couture show in 2008, where every model appeared in a red gown.
Valentinoโs work extended beyond the runway. He designed dresses for countless high-profile figures, including Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Lopez. His creations often dominated red carpets, praised for their balance of drama and restraint. In 2013, he also designed the wedding dress for Princess Madeleine of Sweden, further cementing his reputation as a designer of historic moments.
In December 2023, Valentino received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards in London. Alexandra Shulman, former editor of British Vogue, described him as the embodiment of glamour and luxury, noting that his designs captured what people expected a fashion designer to represent at the highest level.
Although Valentino retired from active designing in 2008, his influence never faded. The fashion house he built continues to thrive, guided by the principles of elegance and craftsmanship that defined his career. His passing marks the end of an era, but his vision lives on through his designs, his brand, and the generations of designers inspired by his work.
