The world of fashion is mourning the loss of one of its greatest visionaries. Valentino Garavani, the legendary designer behind the iconic Valentino brand, passed away on Monday at the age of 93. His foundation confirmed the news, stating that he died peacefully at his residence in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.
With his passing, an era defined by glamour, romance, and unmistakable elegance comes to a close.
From Voghera to the World Stage
Born in Voghera, Italy, on May 11, 1932, Valentino Garavani showed an early fascination with beauty and craftsmanship. After studying fashion in Paris, he returned to Italy to establish his own label in 1960 in Rome, alongside longtime business partner Giancarlo Giammetti.
What followed was a meteoric rise. Valentino quickly became synonymous with refined luxury, dramatic silhouettes, and a signature shade that would later be immortalised as “Valentino red” — a bold, romantic hue that became his calling card.
Dressing Icons, Defining Style
Valentino’s designs soon captured the attention of the world’s most influential women. One of his earliest and most famous admirers was Elizabeth Taylor, who wore a Valentino gown to the premiere of Spartacus in 1960.
His relationship with Jacqueline Kennedy cemented his place in fashion history. He designed six couture dresses for her mourning wardrobe following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, and later created her wedding outfit when she married Aristotle Onassis in 1968 — a look that became instantly iconic.
As the brand flourished through the 1970s and 1980s, Valentino became a Hollywood favourite, famously dressing Joan Collins during her Dynasty era and establishing himself as a red-carpet mainstay.
A Designer Loved Across Generations
Over the decades, Valentino designed wedding dresses and couture pieces for an extraordinary roster of stars, including Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox, and Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Even after stepping back from active design, the Valentino legacy continued to shine on modern red carpets, worn by stars like Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Dakota Johnson, and Elle Fanning.
Tributes Pour In From the Fashion and Film World
Following news of his passing, tributes flooded social media. Gwyneth Paltrow remembered Valentino as a man deeply in love with beauty, family, and storytelling, recalling his warmth, humour, and gentle insistence on glamour even at dinner.
Actor Colman Domingo described Valentino as someone who made people feel like they were living inside a fantasy, while Cindy Crawford called him a true master of his craft and expressed gratitude for the years they worked together.
Beyond Fashion: A Cultural Presence
Valentino’s influence extended beyond couture. He made a memorable appearance as himself in The Devil Wears Prada, and his life and career were chronicled in the acclaimed documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival following his retirement in 2008.
In the film, Valentino summed up his life with characteristic honesty: fashion, he said, was the one thing he truly knew how to do — and he did it better than almost anyone else.
Final Words
Valentino Garavani didn’t just design dresses — he created dreams. His work transformed women into icons, red carpets into runways, and fashion into fantasy. Even in his absence, his vision lives on in every sweep of red fabric, every perfectly cut gown, and every moment where elegance speaks louder than trends.
Fashion may move forward, but Valentino’s legacy will forever remain stitched into its history.
