Valentino Garavani Has Passed Away, an Icon of World Fashion

Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known simply as Valentino, passed away today at the age of 93 at his residence in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones. His death marks the end of an era in high fashion, leaving an indelible mark on the history of aesthetics, elegance, and luxury.

Birth and the Path to Global Fame

Valentino was born in 1932 in Voghera, in northern Italy. From an early age, Garavani demonstrated a passion for design and fashion, a talent that led him to Paris, where he studied and refined his skills under some of the greatest couturiers of the time. He then opened his own fashion house in Rome in 1960.

His sensitivity to lines, fabrics, and aesthetics quickly set him apart, while the iconic “Valentino red,” an intense lipstick-red shade that became the signature of his house, remains a symbol of sophistication and feminine beauty.

Designer of the World’s Stars

Throughout decades of his career, Valentino dressed some of the most famous women in the world, from European royalty and first ladies to Hollywood divas. His creations were worn by figures such as Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and many others, establishing him as a globally recognized symbol of style and luxury.

Valentino Garavani was far more than a designer; he was a legend whose creations and vision will continue to inspire the world.

His creative home was not merely a fashion house, but an institution that inspired generations of designers and defined the standards of elegance in the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century.

Legacy and Influence

Valentino was never just a creator of clothing; he was an architect of beauty. His work shaped the way the world perceives haute couture, and his gowns remain remembered as style icons that transcend trends and time.

Although he retired from active design work in 2007, the influence of his work has remained strong. The Valentino fashion house continues to be synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, refinement, and a sophisticated, feminine silhouette.

Farewell and Final Resting Place

Planned farewell events include a public commemoration in Rome, where Valentino will lie in state for a final tribute, as well as a funeral to be held in the presence of close friends, family members, and numerous figures from the worlds of art and fashion.