The fashion world is in mourning following the death of the iconic Italian designer Valentino Garavani at the age of 93. Known mononymously as Valentino, his career spanned over five decades, dressing royalty, Hollywood stars, and defining elegance for generations.
From London Beginnings to Global Fame
Valentino's journey to becoming a fashion legend began in the early 1960s when he arrived in London, a young designer poised to make his mark. His rise was meteoric. By 1964, he had met Jacqueline Kennedy in New York, beginning a defining relationship. She wore his designs almost exclusively for years, most notably the ivory lace dress for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis.
His influence extended beyond the red carpet. In 1971, he designed the chic new uniform for Trans World Airlines, joining a select group of sought-after designers like Pierre Balmain. Throughout the 1970s, his status was cemented in high society, illustrated by his presence alongside Princess Margaret at a 1974 charity dinner for The Royal Ballet at London's Savoy hotel.
Defining Decades and Iconic Partnerships
Valentino's world was one of glamour, art, and enduring partnerships. He was famously accompanied by his beloved pugs and shared a deep, lifelong professional bond with his business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. His friendships within the industry were legendary, from a playful moment with Giorgio Armani in 1995 to his camaraderie with the late Karl Lagerfeld.
The 1990s and 2000s saw his brand become a red carpet powerhouse. He created some of the Academy Awards' most iconic gowns, including the mint green, one-shoulder dress Jennifer Lopez wore, inspired by a Jackie O original, and the unforgettable black and white Valentino worn by Julia Roberts when she won Best Actress for *Erin Brockovich* in 2001.
The Final Bow and Lasting Legacy
Valentino staged his final ready-to-wear show for the Spring/Summer 2008 collection in Paris in October 2007. His official retirement came in January 2008 after 45 years, marked by a final, emotional haute couture show at the Pompidou Centre. The very next day, he was honoured with Paris's Grand Medaille de Vermeil, its top honour, at a ceremony attended by Karl Lagerfeld.
Retirement did not mean retreat. His cameo in *The Devil Wears Prada* sparked a friendship with Anne Hathaway, whom he accompanied to a ball in 2008 and later designed a wedding dress for. His later years were documented in the 2008 film Valentino: The Last Emperor, and he remained a fixture at major events, such as the 2019 Green Carpet Fashion Awards in Milan with Sophia Loren.
From designing ballet costumes for Sarah Jessica Parker in 2012 to his early catwalk walks with models in Paris in 1991, Valentino Garavani's legacy is one of uncompromising beauty, romanticism, and timeless style. His death marks the end of an era, but his influence on the world of fashion remains indelible.
