Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer whose gowns defined elegance for generations of royals and Hollywood stars, has died at his home in Rome at the age of 93. Known for his signature “Valentino red” and timeless glamour, he remained a pillar of fashion from the 1960s through his retirement in 2008.
The Designer Who Knew What Women Wanted
Universally known by his first name, Valentino built his career on understanding women’s desire to feel beautiful. “I know what women want,” he once said. “They want to be beautiful.” From Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, his creations were trusted to make women feel confident and radiant.
Valentino rarely took risks with edgy designs, instead perfecting gowns that became staples of the red carpet. His work appeared at countless Academy Awards, including Julia Roberts’ black-and-white column gown in 2001 and Cate Blanchett’s butter-yellow silk dress in 2004. He also designed Jacqueline Kennedy’s lace wedding dress for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis and maintained close friendships with many of his high-profile clients.
From Cinema Dreams to Global Fashion House
Born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino credited his childhood love of cinema for inspiring his sense of beauty and glamour. After studying fashion in Milan and Paris, he worked for designers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before launching his own house on Rome’s Via Condotti in 1959.
Early supporters included Italian screen icons Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren, as well as Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Diana Vreeland, legendary editor-in-chief of American Vogue, also championed him, helping establish his international reputation. Valentino became known for bows, ruffles, lace, embroidery, and of course, his iconic red gowns.
A Life of Style and Lasting Influence
Valentino lived a jet-set lifestyle alongside longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti, splitting time between homes in Rome, Paris, New York, London, Capri, and Switzerland. He traveled with his beloved pugs and entertained celebrities including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. His possessions included a 46-metre yacht, a 17th-century Parisian chateau with over a million roses, and an impressive art collection featuring Picasso and Miró.
Valentino expanded his empire to include ready-to-wear, menswear, and accessories. He and Giammetti sold the label in 1998 for an estimated $300 million, though Valentino continued in a design role for another decade. His career was celebrated in museum retrospectives, including one at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and documented in the acclaimed 2008 film Valentino: The Last Emperor.
Valentino’s body will lie in repose at his foundation’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with his funeral scheduled for Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
