Valentino Garavani, the Italian designer whose name became synonymous with timeless glamour and red-carpet perfection, has passed away at his home in Rome. Celebrated for his luxurious gowns and signature “Valentino red,” he shaped decades of fashion and became the go-to designer for royals, first ladies, and Hollywood stars alike.
A Legacy of Beauty and Confidence
Valentino, universally known by his first name, famously said, “I know what women want. They want to be beautiful.” Throughout a career spanning nearly half a century, he perfected a style that emphasized elegance, femininity, and sophistication. His creations became staples of the red carpet, adorning Julia Roberts at the 2001 Oscars, Cate Blanchett in 2004, and countless other stars. He also designed Jacqueline Kennedy’s lace wedding gown for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis and maintained long-lasting friendships with iconic women, including Princess Diana.
His trademarks—bows, ruffles, lace, embroidery, and his signature red—combined classic glamour with playful femininity, making his designs instantly recognizable and cherished by generations.
From Cinema Dreams to Global Stardom
Born in Voghera, northern Italy, on May 11, 1932, Valentino credited his childhood love of cinema with sparking his passion for beauty and style. After studying in Milan and Paris, he worked for designers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before launching his own house on Rome’s Via Condotti in 1959. Early fans included Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn, while Vogue legend Diana Vreeland became a key supporter of his burgeoning career.
Valentino’s designs combined impeccable craftsmanship with timeless elegance, allowing him to build a global brand that remained relevant well past his retirement in 2008.
A Life of Glamour and Influence
Beyond his work, Valentino lived a life as polished as his designs. Alongside longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti, he traveled between homes in Rome, Paris, New York, London, Capri, and Switzerland, surrounded by art, luxury, and close friends including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. He was known for his impeccable appearance, jet-set lifestyle, and devotion to beauty in all forms.
Valentino expanded his empire to include ready-to-wear, menswear, and accessories, selling the label in 1998 for an estimated $300 million while remaining creatively involved for another decade. His career was celebrated in museum retrospectives, including one at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and the 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.
His body will lie in repose at the Valentino Foundation headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday. The funeral will be held on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
