Valentino Garavani Dies at 93: Italian Fashion Icon

January 20, 2026
Sreekanth bathalapalli
World News
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Valentino Garavani Dies at 93: Italian Fashion Icon and Founder of Valentino Brand Passes Away in Rome

The legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, widely known simply as Valentino, has passed away at the age of 93. The news of Valentino Garavani’s death was confirmed on January 19, 2026, by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti. He died peacefully at his residence in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.

A Timeless Legacy of Glamour and “Valentino Red”

Born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera (near Pavia), Italy, as Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, he rose to become one of the most influential couturiers of the 20th century. In 1960, he founded the Valentino fashion house in Rome with his lifelong partner and business collaborator, Giancarlo Giammetti, whom he met that same year. Giammetti, originally an architecture student, became the perfect complement—managing the business side while Valentino poured his vision into design.

Valentino revolutionized haute couture with his signature romantic elegance, impeccable tailoring, and the iconic “Valentino red”—a bold, vibrant crimson that became synonymous with the brand and appeared in nearly every collection. His creations embodied high glamour, sophistication, and timeless beauty, earning him the nickname “the last emperor” of fashion (as highlighted in the acclaimed 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor).

Among his most famous clients were global icons and royalty, including:

Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Audrey Hepburn
Elizabeth Taylor
Nancy Reagan
Julia Roberts
Gwyneth Paltrow
Sharon Stone

Valentino was among the first Italian designers to present on Paris haute couture runways, blending Italian craftsmanship with French refinement. His house grew into a global luxury empire, celebrated for evening gowns, red-carpet glamour, and an unwavering commitment to elegance.

In 1998, Valentino and Giammetti sold the brand, which later passed through owners including the Qatari fund Mayhoola (2012) and partial stakes by Kering. Valentino retired in 2008 after nearly 50 years, marking the end of an extraordinary career.

Global Tributes and Lasting Impact

The announcement of Valentino designer’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes from the fashion world, world leaders, and celebrities. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described him as “the eternal symbol of Italian elegance.” The Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti called him “a true source of light, creativity, and vision.” Giancarlo Giammetti shared a heartfelt message: “forever.”

The foundation also noted that Valentino will lie in state at Piazza Mignanelli 23 in Rome on January 21 and 22, 2026, with a funeral to follow.

The Valentino Brand Today

The Valentino fashion house continues to thrive under new creative leadership (most recently Alessandro Michele), upholding the founder’s legacy of glamour. Recent collections have included symbolic returns to Rome for presentations, honoring the brand’s Italian roots amid its evolution in the luxury market.

Valentino Garavani’s influence endures as a beacon of beauty, refinement, and unapologetic glamour in fashion history. Rest in peace, Maestro.