As the world mourns the passing of Valentino Garavani at 93, we remember not only the designer behind the iconic “Valentino red,” but also the unforgettable bridal gowns that defined elegance for royals and celebrities alike.
From Queen Maxima of the Netherlands to Nicola Peltz in Miami, Valentino’s creations remain timeless symbols of couture artistry and personal storytelling.
Valentino and the Royals:
Valentino’s influence on royal weddings is unmatched. Over the decades, he personally dressed Queen Maxima, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Princess Clotilde of Savoy, Beatrice Borromeo, and Tatiana Santo Domingo.
Queen Maxima’s 2002 gown for her marriage to Crown Prince Willem-Alexander exemplified Valentino’s attention to regal detail. Featuring a cowl-neck Mikado silk gown, a 16-foot train, and a hand-embroidered silk tulle veil, the dress was crafted with her future role as queen in mind.
Princess Madeleine’s 2013 wedding to Christopher O’Neill was another fairytale occasion, marked by Valentino’s return from retirement. Her gown, crafted from pleated silk organza with appliquéd Chantilly lace, reflected both elegance and ease.
Crown Princess Marie-Chantal’s 1995 gown for her wedding to Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece featured a lace bodice, long floral sleeves, and a veil embroidered with butterflies, a symbol of good luck.
Tatiana Santo Domingo, Beatrice Borromeo’s sister-in-law, wore a couture winter gown with a macramé lace bodice, ruffled tulle, and pleated skirt under a double cashmere, mink-lined cape, nodding to her bohemian style.
Beatrice Borromeo herself chose a pale pink and gold lace silk chiffon gown by Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for her 2015 wedding at Monaco’s Prince’s Palace.
Hollywood’s favorite Valentino brides:
Valentino’s bridal influence extended far beyond royalty. Hollywood stars repeatedly turned to the Italian maestro for their wedding day dreams. Elizabeth Taylor wore a lemon-yellow lace gown with a sweeping train for her 1991 wedding to Larry Fortensky.
Jennifer Lopez’s 2001 wedding to Cris Judd featured an off-white Chantilly lace gown with a plunging neckline, designed personally by Valentino.
Anne Hathaway’s 2012 nuptials to Adam Shulman saw a tulle gown with a hand-painted train and embroidered satin flowers.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s 2018 wedding to Brad Falchuk included a lace A-line gown with cap sleeves, sheer detailing, and a keyhole-cutout back.
Courteney Cox’s 1999 Valentino dress showcased a fitted silhouette, plunging neckline, and long sleeves with a dotted tulle veil.
Recent brides have continued this legacy. Nicky Hilton’s 2015 Kensington Palace wedding dress combined three shades of ivory and silver guipure with a 10-foot-long train and hand-embroidered crystals.
While Nicola Peltz, marrying Brooklyn Beckham in 2022, chose a modern, square-necked gown with elbow-length lace gloves and a detailed veil, crafted in collaboration with Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Valentino's lasting legacy:
As Valentino Garavani’s passing is mourned across the globe, his bridal creations stand as a testament to his artistry, vision, and dedication to making every bride feel extraordinary.
Each gown, whether worn by a princess, queen, or Hollywood star, reflects his unique ability to blend craftsmanship, elegance, and personal storytelling. Through these unforgettable wedding dresses, Valentino’s legacy of beauty, grace, and timeless fashion will endure forever.