Fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known worldwide simply as Valentino, has died aged 93, his foundation announced on Monday. His death comes four months after the passing of Giorgio Armani, another towering figure of Italian fashion, who died on September 4 aged 91.
Valentino “passed away peacefully in his Roman residence, surrounded by the love of his loved ones,” the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation said in a statement. The lying-in-state will be held at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23 in Rome, on Wednesday January 21 and Thursday January 22, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
The funeral will take place on Friday January 23 at 11:00 am, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica.
Valentino’s career
Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, in the province of Pavia. Encouraged by his parents, Mauro Garavani and Teresa de Biaggi, he developed an early passion for fashion and languages. He studied fashion and French before moving to Paris, where he sought new opportunities that would shape his future career.
In Paris, Valentino apprenticed for Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, absorbing the discipline of haute couture. He later returned to Italy to build experience with Emilio Schuberth and Vincenzo Ferdinandi. These formative years laid the foundations for a career that would redefine Italian elegance and introduce the world to his signature shade of red.
Valentino founded his fashion house in 1957 and opened his first atelier on Via Condotti in Rome in 1959. The early years proved difficult, and initial partners withdrew their support. A decisive turning point came in 1960, when he met architecture student Giancarlo Giammetti in a Roman café. Their meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong personal and professional partnership.
Over the decades, Valentino dressed some of the most famous women in the world. His relationship with Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis began in 1964 and became emblematic of his style. Other clients included Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone and Linda Evangelista, all drawn to his vision of refined glamour.
Valentino stepped down from the helm of his fashion house in 2007, ending an era in Italian couture. In July 2012, the house was sold to Qatari firm Mayhoola for Investments. In 2023, the Kering group acquired a 30% stake in the Valentino Group for €1.7 billion. Valentino and Giammetti created their eponymous foundation, dedicated entirely to philanthropic projects, in 2016.
Tributes from acros the world
Tributes poured in from Italy’s political leaders following the announcement of his death. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described him as “the undisputed master of style and elegance and an eternal symbol of Italian high fashion.” She added: “Today, Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. Thank you for everything.”
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani also paid tribute, writing: “With Valentino Garavani, Italy loses an absolute protagonist of global fashion.” He said Valentino’s talent “brought Made in Italy to the international runways, making it a symbol of style, creativity, and prestige,” calling his work “a legacy that will live on in history.”
Cultural institutions also honoured his contribution. Florence’s Uffizi Galleries and the Museum of Fashion and Costume at Palazzo Pitti described Valentino as a “timeless master” and an “absolute protagonist of Italian and international fashion.” A social media post highlighted his use of polka dots as “an expressive tool, into rhythm, lightness, and measure,” reflecting a vision of elegance that transcends generations.
International figures from the arts joined the tributes. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow wrote on Instagram: “I was so lucky to have known and loved Valentino, to have known the real man, in his private life.” She added: “It feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and by everyone who loved him.”
Valentino Garavani leaves behind a legacy that helped make Italy a global leader in fashion. His vision of beauty, discipline and timeless elegance continues to shape the language of style far beyond the runway.
