Fashion Icon Valentino Garavani Dies at 93

ROME )(Web Desk) – Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known worldwide simply as Valentino, has passed away at the age of 93, marking the end of an era in global haute couture.

A towering figure in 20th-century fashion, Valentino dressed some of the world’s most famous personalities, including Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow. He co-founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960 and stood alongside icons such as Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld at the pinnacle of the industry.

In a statement shared on Instagram, the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation said the designer died peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by family. The foundation announced that Valentino will lie in state at Piazza Mignanelli on January 21 and 22, with his funeral scheduled for the following day at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs.

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Born in Lombardy in May 1932, Valentino was celebrated for his luxurious and opulent designs, marked by bold silhouettes and distinctive shoulder structures. At just 17, he moved to Paris to study at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, later working with renowned fashion houses led by Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche.

One of his most enduring legacies was “Valentino red,” a signature colour inspired by a visit to Spain. The shade became synonymous with the brand’s identity and global success, famously dominating the finale of Valentino’s last collection in 2007, when all models appeared in red.

In recognition of his lifelong contribution to fashion, Valentino received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards in December 2023, held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.