Farewell to Valentino, a giant of global fashion

Rome — Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer who shaped global haute couture for more than half a century, has died at the age of 93.

The news was announced in a statement released by the Valentino Garavani Foundation, which said the designer “passed away peacefully today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones”.

A public viewing will be held at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, in Rome on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January 2026, from 11am to 6pm. The funeral will take place on Friday 23 January at 11am at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica.

Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani on 11 May 1932 in Voghera, near Pavia, Valentino showed an early passion for fashion, encouraged by his parents, Mauro Garavani and Teresa de Biaggi. He studied fashion and French before moving to Paris, where he trained under Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, laying the foundations of what would become one of the most celebrated careers in international fashion.

After returning to Italy, Valentino worked with Emilio Schuberth and Vincenzo Ferdinandi before founding the Valentino fashion house in 1957. Two years later, he opened his first atelier in Via Condotti in Rome. The early years were financially difficult, but a decisive turning point came in 1960 with the arrival of Giancarlo Giammetti, whom Valentino met in a Roman café. Their professional and personal partnership would last a lifetime.

Valentino became synonymous with elegance, refinement and glamour, and was celebrated as the creator of the iconic “Valentino red”. Over the decades, he dressed some of the most influential women in the world, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis with whom he formed a long standing relationship beginning in 1964 as well as Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone and Linda Evangelista.

The designer stepped down from the creative leadership of his fashion house in 2007. In 2012, the Valentino brand was sold to Qatar-based Mayhoola for Investments, and in 2023 the luxury group Kering acquired a 30 per cent stake in the Valentino Group for €1.7 billion. In 2016, Valentino and Giammetti founded the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, dedicated to philanthropic and cultural initiatives.

Among the first tributes was one from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who described Valentino as “the undisputed master of style and elegance and an eternal symbol of Italian haute couture”.

“Today Italy loses a legend,” she said, “but his legacy will continue to inspire generations.”

With Valentino’s passing, Italy bids farewell to a giant of fashion whose vision helped define modern elegance.

PS