Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer whose name became synonymous with elegance, has died at his home in Rome aged 93. Celebrated for his flawless gowns and unmistakable sense of beauty, Valentino dressed some of the most famous women in the world and earned his place as fashion’s undisputed red-carpet authority.
Dressing the World’s Most Famous Women
Known simply as Valentino, he famously declared that he “knew what women want,” a belief reflected in decades of designs that prioritised grace over provocation. Royals, first ladies and Hollywood stars trusted him implicitly, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan.
His creations became awards-season staples. Julia Roberts accepted her Oscar in 2001 wearing a vintage black-and-white Valentino gown, while Cate Blanchett chose a one-shouldered butter-yellow silk design when she won in 2004. One of his most enduring works was the long-sleeved lace dress Jackie Kennedy wore when she married Aristotle Onassis in 1968, marking a friendship that lasted decades.
Valentino avoided trends and controversy, instead building a reputation for reliability and beauty. His signature “Valentino red,” along with bows, lace, ruffles and intricate embroidery, defined a look that was unapologetically feminine and instantly recognisable.
From Movie Dreams to Fashion Royalty
Born on May 11, 1932, in the northern Italian town of Voghera, Valentino often said his love of cinema first inspired him. He was captivated by movie stars and the perfection they projected on screen, a fascination that later shaped his design philosophy.
After studying fashion in Milan and Paris, he worked under Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before opening his own fashion house on Rome’s Via Condotti in 1959. His talent quickly drew the attention of Italian film icons Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren, followed by Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Vogue editor Diana Vreeland became an early supporter, helping elevate him onto the global stage.
Even after his retirement in 2008, the Valentino brand remained influential, a rare achievement in an industry known for rapid change.
A Life Lived in Beauty
Valentino’s personal life mirrored the elegance of his work. Always impeccably dressed and famously tanned, he lived a jet-set existence alongside longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti. Between homes in Rome, Paris, New York, London, Capri and Switzerland, the pair travelled with their beloved pugs and entertained friends including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
His possessions reflected his tastes: a 46-metre yacht, a significant art collection featuring Picasso and Miró, and a 17th-century château near Paris surrounded by more than a million roses. He once remarked that he felt sorry when women appeared careless in their appearance, insisting beauty should always be celebrated and presented at its best.
Valentino expanded his empire to include ready-to-wear, menswear and accessories, eventually selling the brand in 1998 for an estimated $300 million, while continuing to design for another decade. His career was honoured through major museum exhibitions and the acclaimed 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.
His body will lie in repose at the Valentino Foundation headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday. His 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.
