Italian Fashion Legend Valentino Garavani Dies at 93
Italian designer Valentino Garavani, famed for his signature “Valentino red” and decades of dressing global elites, has died at age 93. His Rome-based foundation announced he passed away at his residence, surrounded by family.
A funeral is scheduled for Friday in Rome, with a lying in state on Wednesday and Thursday.
Career and Global Influence
Valentino, widely known simply by his first name, became a defining figure in international fashion. Over nearly 50 years, his designs were worn by figures including Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Nancy Reagan, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
He gained attention early in his career dressing Jackie Kennedy, notably creating the ivory lace dress she wore for her 1968 marriage to Aristotle Onassis. This moment cemented his global reputation and paved the way for the first Italian fashion boutique in New York in 1970.
Valentino’s creations were also notable during historical events. When Empress Farah Pahlavi fled Iran in 1979, she wore a coat made by the designer.
Early Life and Rise in Fashion
Born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Italy, Valentino developed a passion for fashion in childhood. He studied in Paris, influenced by Christian Dior’s post-war style, and worked for designers Jean Desses and Guy Laroche before establishing his Rome fashion house in 1960.
Assisted by his partner Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino transformed his label into a global brand. His debut collection in 1962 introduced the now-iconic “Valentino red.”
Legacy and Retirement
Valentino retired in 2008 after nearly half a century on the runway. He briefly appeared in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada and in 2011 launched the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum, providing a 3D immersive view of his fashion history.
He is remembered as a designer who championed elegance, glamour, and luxury in both life and work.
