Rome — Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion genius whose name became synonymous with elegance, glamour and a shade of red known the world over, died peacefully at his home in Rome on Monday. He was 93 years old when he passed away surrounded by loved ones, the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation announced.
Valentino was more than a designer. He was a maker of dreams and a master of timeless beauty in a world that sometimes rushed toward novelty. From the streets of Voghera where he was born on May 11, 1932, to the stylish boulevards of Paris and finally to his atelier on Rome’s Via Condotti, his life was a testament to passion shaped into form.
His fashion house, launched in 1960, blossomed into a global empire that dressed first ladies, movie stars and royalty alike. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis helped put him on the international map, and his signature shade — “Valentino red” — became shorthand for confidence and classic glamour. Designers and style lovers around the globe learned to recognize his work by its luxurious detail, flowing lines and an unwavering commitment to making every wearer feel extraordinary.
Valentino’s gowns graced red carpets from Los Angeles to Cannes, worn by icons like Julia Roberts, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn. His creations never followed fleeting trends. Instead, they carved out their own timeless vocabulary of beauty — a vocabulary that will live on in museums, bridal boutiques and the memories of those unforgettable fashion moments.
Even after his retirement in 2008, Valentino remained a fixture in fashion circles. Exhibitions, retrospectives and affectionate nods from newer generations of designers kept his name in the conversation. His career was also captured in the 2009 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, which offered a glimpse into his creative mind and lifelong partnership with Giancarlo Giammetti, both in business and in life.
Public tributes poured in within hours of the announcement. Friends, fellow designers and public figures paid homage to a man whose work bridged continents and decades. Italian leaders and fashion houses alike called Valentino a “master of style,” celebrating a legacy that helped make Italian fashion a cornerstone of global culture.
Funeral arrangements have been set in Rome. A public lying in state will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli, with a funeral service scheduled for Friday at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
Valentino’s passing marks the end of an era in haute couture. Yet his influence, stitched into the fabric of fashion history, will continue to inspire artists, designers and dreamers for generations to come.
