Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer whose gowns defined glamour for decades, has passed away at his home in Rome at the age of 93. Famous for his signature “Valentino red” and timeless, feminine creations, he remained a central figure in fashion from the 1960s well beyond his retirement in 2008. His foundation described him as “a true source of light, creativity and vision.”
A Lifetime Dressing the Elite
Known simply as Valentino, he was beloved by generations of royals, first ladies, and Hollywood stars. Clients included Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, and Queen Rania of Jordan. “I know what women want,” he once said. “They want to be beautiful.” His elegant, fail-safe designs made him the go-to for red-carpet events, with gowns appearing at countless Academy Awards, including Julia Roberts’ vintage black-and-white column dress in 2001 and Cate Blanchett’s butter-yellow silk number in 2004. He also designed Jacqueline Kennedy’s lace wedding gown for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis, cementing his place as a favorite among the world’s most stylish women.
From Cinema Dreams to Global Fashion Empire
Born in Voghera, northern Italy, on May 11, 1932, Valentino credited his childhood love of cinema for inspiring his passion for beauty and elegance. After studying in Milan and Paris, he worked for Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before opening his own house on Rome’s Via Condotti in 1959. Early fans included Italian icons Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren, as well as Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Vogue editor Diana Vreeland also championed the young designer, helping him gain international recognition.
Life of Luxury, Creativity, and Influence
Valentino shared the glamorous lifestyle of his elite clientele. With longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti, he maintained homes in Rome, Paris, New York, London, Capri, and Gstaad, Switzerland, traveled with their pugs, and entertained friends like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. His possessions included a 46-meter yacht, a Parisian château with over a million roses, and an art collection featuring Picasso and Miró.
Over the years, Valentino expanded his brand to include ready-to-wear, menswear, and accessories. In 1998, he and Giammetti sold the label for an estimated $300 million but remained involved in design for another decade. His work has been celebrated in retrospectives at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and chronicled in the 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.
Valentino’s body will lie in repose at his foundation’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday. His funeral will take place on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
