Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani passed away on Monday at the age of 93, his foundation announced. He died at his residence in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones, ending an era that defined elegance, refinement, and timeless haute couture.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the foundation said Valentino’s passing marks the loss of one of the most influential designers in global fashion history. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, located at Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, at 11 am local time.
From Voghera to the world stage
Born in 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino showed an early passion for fashion. He trained in Paris, working in prestigious haute couture ateliers before returning to Italy. In 1959, he founded his own fashion house in Rome, quickly earning acclaim for his impeccable craftsmanship and sophisticated silhouettes.
The legacy of “Valentino red”
Valentino became synonymous with luxury and grace, particularly through his iconic red gowns. The deep scarlet shade, celebrated for its intensity and elegance, became famously known across the fashion world as “Valentino red,” a signature that cemented his identity in couture history.
Global influence and cultural circles
During the 1970s, Valentino spent considerable time in New York, moving among cultural and artistic elites such as Andy Warhol and influential Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. By the 1990s, his designs were embraced by leading supermodels including Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, further strengthening his global appeal.
Valentino Garavani leaves behind a legacy that reshaped haute couture and inspired generations with beauty, discipline, and enduring elegance.