Italian fashion icon Valentino Garavani, renowned for his exquisite evening gowns and the iconic “Valentino red,” has died at the age of 93. The Valentino Foundation announced on Monday that he passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by family.
A lying-in-state will be held on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a funeral on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, Rome.
Born in 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino trained in Parisian haute couture before opening his own fashion house in Rome in 1959. Early in his career, he became famous for his striking scarlet gowns, a shade that would become his signature and earn the name “Valentino red.”
In 1960, he met Giancarlo Giammetti, his longtime business and romantic partner, who helped build Valentino SpA into a global luxury brand. The designer’s early clients included Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins, and Queen Paola of Belgium.
Valentino’s creations became a fixture on red carpets worldwide, with stars such as Jane Fonda, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway wearing his gowns at the Academy Awards. His influence has endured through the years, with modern icons including Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, and Gemma Chan continuing to showcase his designs.
Valentino leaves behind a legacy of timeless elegance, masterful craftsmanship, and a lasting impact on fashion that spans generations.
