Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93, his foundation has confirmed.
The Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation announced his death in a post on Instagram, saying the designer passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by family.
Valentino, widely known simply by his first name, was celebrated for his luxurious and elegant designs that dressed royalty, Hollywood stars, and global icons for decades. His clients included Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Naomi Campbell.
Born in May 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino moved to Paris at the age of 17 to study at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. He later worked with leading designers such as Jacques Fath, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Jean Dessès, and Guy Laroche before returning to Rome to launch his own fashion house in 1959.
In 1960, he co-founded Valentino SpA with Giancarlo Giammetti, his longtime business partner. Together, they built the label into one of the most recognised luxury brands in the world, placing Valentino alongside fashion greats such as Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld.
One of his most enduring legacies was “Valentino red,” a bold shade inspired by a trip to Spain. The colour became synonymous with the brand and was memorably showcased in his final collection in 2007, when all models appeared in red outfits.
Valentino’s work defined red carpet glamour for generations. His designs featured in iconic Oscar moments, including Jane Fonda’s beaded gown in 1981, Julia Roberts’ black-and-white vintage dress in 2001, Jennifer Lopez’s mint-toned gown in 2003, and Cate Blanchett’s yellow dress in 2005.
The foundation announced that the designer will lie in state at Piazza Mignanelli from January 21 to 22. His funeral service is scheduled for January 23 at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Rome.
In December 2023, Valentino was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards in London, recognising his lasting impact on global fashion.
Valentino is remembered as a master of elegance whose designs shaped haute couture and red carpet style for more than half a century.
