Italian fashion icon Valentino Garavani, celebrated for his timeless evening gowns worn by some of the world’s most glamorous women, has passed away at the age of 93.
According to a statement from his foundation on Monday, Garavani died peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by family.
The statement read:
“Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones. The lying-in-state will be held at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, Rome, at 11:00 a.m.”
Born in Voghera, northern Italy, in 1932, Valentino honed his skills in Parisian haute couture before launching his own fashion house in Rome in 1959. He quickly became renowned for his signature red dresses, famously known as “Valentino red.”
In 1960, he met Giancarlo Giammetti, a young architecture student who became his business partner and, for 12 years, his romantic partner. Together, they transformed Valentino SpA into a globally recognised luxury brand.
Valentino’s early high-profile clients included Elizabeth Taylor during her filming of Cleopatra in Rome. Other patrons included Begum Aga Khan, Queen Paola of Belgium, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins, and Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore a Valentino gown for her 1968 marriage to Aristotle Onassis.
His influence spanned decades. In the 1970s, Valentino moved in New York’s elite social circles, mingling with Andy Warhol and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. By the 1990s, he was a favourite among supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.
Valentino’s creations were also a fixture on the red carpet. Iconic designs included Jane Fonda’s beaded gown at the 1981 Oscars, Julia Roberts’ black-and-white ensemble in 2001, Jennifer Lopez’s pastel mint gown in 2003, and Cate Blanchett’s yellow dress in 2005. Both Roberts and Blanchett won Oscars in the years they wore Valentino. He personally accompanied Anne Hathaway to the 2002 Academy Awards in an ornate Valentino gown.
In recent years, stars including Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, and Gemma Chan have continued to showcase Valentino at high-profile events, highlighting the designer’s lasting impact on global fashion.