Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian designer whose elegant gowns defined high fashion for nearly five decades, has passed away at the age of 93. His death was announced by the foundation he established with lifelong partner Giancarlo Giammetti, marking the end of an era in couture.
The foundation shared the news on social media, noting that Valentino died at his residence in Rome, though no cause was provided. A public viewing is set for Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, with a funeral to follow on Friday at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in central Rome.
The fashion world has reacted with profound sadness, as tributes pour in from designers, models, and political figures alike. Many recall Valentino’s unmatched ability to craft beauty, a talent that dressed royals, first ladies, and Hollywood stars from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts. His passing has sparked reflection on a legacy that shaped red carpet glamour.
Valentino’s signature “Valentino red” became a symbol of sophistication, and his designs rarely missed the mark, as NewsNation detailed in their coverage of his storied career. From the lace gown Kennedy wore at her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis to Julia Roberts’ vintage black-and-white dress at the 2001 Oscars, his creations were timeless.
“I know what women want,” Valentino once declared. “They want to be beautiful.” And didn’t he deliver, turning every awards ceremony into a showcase of grace while steering clear of trendy gimmicks or provocative stunts?
His career, spanning from the 1960s to his retirement in 2008, was built on a simple truth. Women, whether princesses like Diana of Wales or screen legends like Sophia Loren, trusted him to make them shine. That trust was his crown, more valuable than any runway applause.
Born in 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino’s love for cinema’s golden age sparked his passion for design. After honing his craft in Milan and Paris under luminaries like Jean Desses, he launched his Rome atelier in 1959 alongside Giammetti, who managed the business while Valentino charmed the elite.
Their partnership weathered early financial storms to build an empire that dressed the world’s most celebrated figures. Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and even Vogue’s Diana Vreeland championed his work, cementing his place among fashion’s titans. By 1998, the brand sold for an estimated $300 million, though Valentino stayed on until 2008.
His personal life matched his designs in extravagance, with homes from Capri to New York and a 17th-century chateau near Paris boasting a million-rose garden. Traveling with a pack of pugs and hosting stars like Madonna, Valentino lived as vibrantly as the gowns he created.
Valentino’s philosophy on beauty was unrelenting, as seen in a 2007 RTL interview where he mused, “Woman is like a beautiful flower bouquet.” He lamented casual styles like jogging trousers, insisting women should always dazzle. In an age obsessed with comfort over class, that view feels like a refreshing, if old-school, reminder.
His influence persists, even as successors like Alessandro Michele, current creative director, carry the torch. Michele’s tribute spoke of feeling Valentino’s “gaze” while preparing the next collection for March 12 in Rome, a nod to the founder’s enduring spirit over Paris runways.
Yet, one wonders if today’s fashion, often chasing shock over substance, can hold space for Valentino’s pure dedication to elegance. His aversion to edginess was no flaw; it was a stand for timelessness amid fleeting fads.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni hailed Valentino as a “maestro of eternal style,” a fitting epitaph for a man who elevated Italian craftsmanship globally. His atelier in Rome remained his heart, even as Paris often hosted his shows. That loyalty to roots speaks volumes in a world quick to globalize at any cost.
Condolences from peers like Donatella Versace and the Armani family underscore a shared grief for an industry giant. Supermodel Cindy Crawford called him “a true master,” heartbroken at the loss of someone who shaped her own red carpet moments.
As the fashion house evolves under new ownership like Qatar’s Mayhoola and Kering, Valentino’s vision remains the benchmark. His gowns weren’t just fabric; they were a promise of beauty, a gift to every woman who wore them. Let’s hope that promise isn’t traded for the next passing trend.