Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in modern Italian fashion, has died at the age of 93. The news was announced Monday by the designer’s foundation, according to Reuters and Sky News.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our founder Mr. Valentino today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” the foundation said in a statement posted on Instagram. According to the announcement, the coffin will be on display on Wednesday and Thursday, with the funeral scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. local time in Rome.
For decades, Valentino Garavani’s name was synonymous with refined elegance and the highest standards of haute couture. Through the Valentino, he built not only a globally successful fashion empire but also gifted the industry an enduring symbol: the legendary Valentino red, a color that remains an emblem of luxury and timeless femininity.
Alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino belonged to the last generation of designers formed in an era when fashion was driven by creative vision rather than marketing strategies and financial spreadsheets. Lagerfeld died in 2019, Armani in September; with Valentino’s passing, a defining chapter of fashion history has drawn to a close.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the first to pay tribute, writing on social media: “Valentino, the undisputed master of style and elegance, an eternal symbol of Italian fashion. Today, Italy has lost a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Thank you for everything you have done.”
Who Was Valentino Garavani?
Valentino Garavani was born in 1932 in Voghera, in northern Italy. He began his career in Paris, training in the ateliers of Jean Dèsses and Guy Laroche, before returning to Italy in 1958 to open his own tailor’s workshop on Via Condotti in Rome.
The decisive breakthrough came in 1962, at a fashion show held at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Founded together with Giancarlo Giammetti, the Valentino fashion house quickly rose to international prominence and became a favorite of Hollywood and global high society.
Throughout his life, Valentino pursued a single, unwavering ambition: to dress the most beautiful and famous women in the world. His creations graced galas, receptions, and red carpets, worn by icons such as Monica Vitti, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand, Sophia Loren, Farah Pahlavi, Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kim Kardashian.
In 1998, Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti sold the brand to the HdP group, which later transferred ownership to the Marzotto Group in 2002. Valentino remained artistic director until 2007. In 2012, the fashion house was acquired by Mayhoola for Investments.