Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer whose elegant creations defined haute couture glamour for nearly five decades, has died at age 93. The designer passed away Monday at his Roman residence, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement from his namesake foundation.
The foundation announced that Garavani will lie in state at Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday and Thursday before a funeral service takes place Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani on May 11, 1932, in the small northern Italian town of Voghera, the designer discovered his passion for fashion as a young boy. At age 17, he moved to Paris to study at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, where he honed his craft.
After apprenticing at several Parisian couture houses throughout the 1950s, Valentino returned to Italy in 1959 to establish his own fashion house in Rome. The following year proved pivotal when he met Giancarlo Giammetti, who became both his business partner and romantic companion for 12 years. Together, they transformed Valentino SpA into an internationally recognized brand.
The designer became renowned for his signature shade of red, known throughout the fashion industry as “Valentino red”. This distinctive color, along with his masterful use of luxurious fabrics, intricate lace, and romantic embellishments, made his gowns instantly recognizable.
Valentino’s influence extended far beyond the runway. His client list read like a who’s who of global glamour, including Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren. Perhaps his most famous patron was Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore Valentino designs during her mourning period following President John F. Kennedy‘s assassination and later chose a white Valentino gown for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis.
The designer’s impact on red carpet fashion remained unparalleled. At the Academy Awards alone, his creations graced numerous winners, including Julia Roberts’ iconic vintage black-and-white gown at the 2001 ceremony when she won Best Actress for “Erin Brockovich.” That particular ensemble became one of the most celebrated Oscar looks in history.
After nearly 50 years leading his fashion house, Valentino announced his retirement in 2007. His final haute couture show in Paris at the Musée Rodin in 2008 featured every model walking the runway in his beloved red, a fitting tribute to a career that transformed modern fashion.
Throughout his distinguished career, Valentino received numerous accolades, including the Knight of the Legion of Honor from France and the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. His philosophy remained constant throughout the decades. As he stated in the 2008 documentary “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” “I know what women want. They want to be beautiful”.
The fashion world has lost one of its most influential figures, but Valentino’s legacy of timeless elegance and uncompromising vision continues to inspire designers worldwide. His insistence on beauty, craftsmanship, and feminine grace helped define what haute couture could achieve.
