The world of high fashion is in mourning following the death of the legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani. The founder of the iconic Valentino fashion house passed away at the age of 93, his foundation confirmed.
A Life in Fashion: From Voghera to Global Icon
Known universally by his first name, Valentino was born in 1932 in Voghera, Lombardy. After studying fashion in Paris, he co-founded his eponymous fashion house with businessman Giancarlo Giammetti in 1960. This marked the beginning of a career that would shape the landscape of luxury style for decades.
His signature "Valentino Red" shade became a statement of power and glamour, adorning some of the most famous women in the world. His client list read like a who's who of royalty, politics, and Hollywood, including Diana, Princess of Wales, Elizabeth Taylor, and former US first lady Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis.
Dressing the Stars and Defining Elegance
Valentino's influence extended deeply into the worlds of cinema and aristocracy. In 1968, he was personally chosen by Jackie Kennedy to design the high-neck lace gown for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis. He also dressed Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco, and fellow screen legends Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.
His designs became a red-carpet staple for a new generation of stars. Julia Roberts memorably wore a vintage black and white Valentino gown when she won the Best Actress Oscar for Erin Brockovich in 2001. Cate Blanchett also chose Valentino, wearing a buttermilk yellow gown to collect her Best Supporting Actress award for The Aviator in 2005.
Final Tributes and Funeral Arrangements
The designer died on Monday 19 January 2026, surrounded by loved ones at his residence in Rome. The news was shared via a statement on the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation's Instagram account.
His foundation announced that Valentino will lie in state at its headquarters on Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January. The funeral service is scheduled for Friday 23 January at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led tributes, calling him an "undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion." She added, "Today Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations."
The death of Valentino Garavani marks the end of an era for couture. His unparalleled eye for colour, cut, and timeless elegance secured his place as one of the most celebrated and influential designers of the 20th and early 21st centuries.
