Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani, the designer behind the iconic “Valentino red” and a longtime favorite of Hollywood stars and royalty alike, has died at the age of 93.
His foundation announced that he “peacefully passed away today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by the love of his family,” in a statement shared on Instagram.
Valentino’s influence on fashion spanned more than four decades. His creations graced red carpets worldwide, dressing celebrities including Jane Fonda, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, and Gemma Chan.
At the Oscars alone, memorable ensembles included Jane Fonda’s heavily-beaded 1981 gown honoring her father, Henry, Julia Roberts’ vintage black-and-white 2001 dress, Jennifer Lopez’s pastel mint caftan-style 2003 gown, and Cate Blanchett’s sunshine-yellow 2005 gown.
At the 2011 Academy Awards, Anne Hathaway walked the red carpet in a Fall 2002 Valentino couture gown, accompanied by the designer himself.
Valentino's inspiring story:
Born on May 11, 1932, in the northern Italian town of Voghera, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was drawn to glamour from an early age. He studied fashion in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, beginning apprenticeships with legendary houses such as Balenciaga, Jacques Fath, Jean Dessès, and Guy Laroche.
Returning to Italy in 1960, he founded his own fashion house in Rome and soon caught the attention of Elizabeth Taylor, who wore his designs during the 1960 premiere of 'Spartacus.'
Valentino’s rise to international acclaim accelerated when Jackie Kennedy became a devoted client, wearing his designs while mourning the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and later donning a Valentino gown for her 1968 marriage to Aristotle Onassis.
Other early clients included Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins, Sophia Loren, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Barbra Streisand, and Monica Vitti.
In 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti, a young architecture student who would become his longtime business partner and romantic companion for 12 years. Together, they transformed Valentino SpA into a globally recognized brand.
He also owned homes in London, Paris, New York, Spain, and Gstaad, Switzerland, and famously adored his six pug dogs, Milton, Monty, Maude, Margot, Maggie, and Molly. “I don’t care about the collection,” he said in the 2008 documentary 'Valentino: The Last Emperor.' “My dogs are more important.”
The designer sold his company in 1998 to the Italian conglomerate HdP for approximately $300 million but continued working for the house until his retirement in 2008.
His final haute couture show, held at the Musée Rodin in Paris, marked the end of a storied career spanning more than 45 years. Models closed the show wearing identical “Valentino red” gowns, a nod to the signature color that defined his brand. “I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life,” Valentino reflected. “There can be few greater gifts than that.”
Following his retirement, designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were appointed as Valentino’s creative directors. Chiuri later moved to Christian Dior in 2016, while Piccioli stepped down in 2024 and was named creative director at Balenciaga. Since then, Alessandro Michele has led Valentino’s design efforts amid broader industry reshuffling.
For many, Valentino’s passing marks the end of an era in haute couture. Valentino is survived by Giancarlo Giammetti and his partner Bruce Hoeksema, with whom he had lived since 1982.
A lying in state will be held on January 21 and 22 at Piazza Mignanelli 23 in Rome, followed by a funeral on January 23 at Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.