Valentino Garavani has passed away, leaving behind a legacy forever etched into the history of haute couture. The founder of the House of Valentino died in Rome at the age of 94, surrounded by his loved ones.
More than a designer, Valentino was the embodiment of an era. A titan of twentieth-century fashion, he created a singular language of luxury and elegance, earning his place among the greats alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld. Founded in 1960, the House of Valentino swiftly became synonymous with refined glamour and impeccable style.
His clients and muses were the women who defined their time: Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Valentino’s gowns did more than dress their wearers — they became part of cultural history.
Born in Lombardy in 1932, Valentino moved to Paris at just 17 to study at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. There, he honed his craft working alongside fashion legends including Jacques Fath, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Jean Dessès, and Guy Laroche — experiences that laid the foundation for his future triumph.
Central to his legacy is the legendary Valentino Red — a color inspired by Spain and first unveiled in the iconic fiesta dress. It became the house’s unmistakable visual signature. In a poignant gesture, Valentino closed his final collection in 2007 by sending every model down the runway dressed in red.
That same year, in September 2007, Valentino officially stepped away from the fashion industry, leaving behind not merely a brand, but a fully realized aesthetic philosophy. His influence was recognized during his lifetime: in December 2023, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards, held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Public tributes will take place in Rome’s Piazza Mignanelli on January 21–22, followed by his funeral on January 23 at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
An era has come to an end.
Style, however, is eternal.
