Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential couturiers of the 20th century and the founder of the Valentino fashion house, has died at the age of 93.
The Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation confirmed on Monday that the designer passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.
“Valentino Garavani passed away on Monday at his Roman residence, surrounded by his family,” the foundation said in a statement shared on social media.
A lying in state will take place in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with his funeral scheduled for Friday morning.
A towering figure in global fashion
Known worldwide simply as Valentino, Garavani was widely regarded as one of the last great designers of an era before fashion became dominated by global conglomerates, mass marketing and commercial strategy.
Alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino helped shape modern luxury fashion. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he built a global business empire rooted in haute couture, craftsmanship and unapologetic glamour.
Valentino retired from fashion in 2008, staging an emotional final show in Rome that celebrated his signature aesthetic. For the finale, every model appeared in red, a tribute to the colour that became synonymous with his name.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Valentino Garavani attends a photocall to launch a new exhibition dedicated to his life and work at Embankment Gallery on November 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)
The legacy of Valentino red
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 under designers including Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before launching his own label.
He co-founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960 alongside long-time business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, who would remain by his side throughout his career.
Valentino became famous for his refined silhouettes, opulent fabrics and striking use of colour, most notably the deep crimson shade known as Valentino red. Inspired by a trip to Spain, the colour became a defining hallmark of the brand and a fixture on runways and red carpets alike.
“I know what women want,” Valentino once said. “They want to be beautiful.”
Designer of choice for royalty and Hollywood
Valentino’s designs were worn by generations of cultural icons, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Roberts famously accepted her Oscar for Erin Brockovich in a black-and-white Valentino gown in 2001, while Paltrow wore Valentino for her wedding to Brad Falchuk.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 03: Valentino Garavani and Gwyneth Paltrow attend the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 03, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Other high-profile clients included Nancy Reagan, Sharon Stone, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman. In 2013, Valentino designed the wedding dress for Princess Madeleine of Sweden.
Even after his retirement, the Valentino label remained a red carpet staple, with contemporary stars continuing to wear the brand at major awards ceremonies, including the Golden Globes earlier this month.
Tributes pour in from fashion and beyond
Tributes to Valentino flooded in from across the fashion industry, entertainment world and political sphere.
Gwyneth Paltrow described his death as “the end of an era”, saying she was grateful to have known “the real man, in private”, praising his love of beauty, storytelling and life.
Fashion designer Donatella Versace called him “a true maestro”, while supermodel Cindy Crawford said she was “heartbroken” and grateful for the years she worked closely with him.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Valentino as an “eternal symbol of Italian high fashion”, adding that while Italy had lost a legend, his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Alexandra Shulman, former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, said Valentino epitomised glamour and luxury, noting that he prioritised beauty over trends and remained loyal to his clients for decades.
A lasting influence
In December 2023, Valentino was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards, recognising his enduring contribution to the industry.
Despite stepping away from the runway nearly two decades ago, his influence remains deeply embedded in fashion culture, from couture ateliers to red carpets worldwide.
Valentino Garavani is survived by his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, and leaves behind a body of work that helped define elegance, femininity and modern luxury.
His passing marks the close of a remarkable chapter in fashion history.
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