RIP

Gisele Bündchen remembers Valentino with a touching tribute and personal moments

Valentino Garavani died earlier this week

Gisele Bündchen and Valentino at his Fall-Winter 2000 - 2001 fashion show

JANUARY 20, 2026 12:37 PM ESTJAN 20, 2026, 12:37 PM EST

Gisele Bündchen is mourning the death of a fashion giant and a pivotal figure in her impressive career. The Brazilian model shared a moving tribute dedicated to Valentino Garavani, the fashion designer whose death was announced yesterday.

Valentino played a key tole at the start of Bundchen's career

In a post shared on Instagram, Bündchen shared various photos showing her and Valentino over the years. The two were great partners, with Bündchen serving as a highlight for many of his shows.

"Valentino was a true genius, an artist with a rare sensitivity and grace. I feel incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to work with him, to know him, and to experience his kindness and generosity firsthand," she wrote. "He was so supportive of my career, and he always made me feel special."

Valentino would often hold Bundchen's hand when walking the runway at the end of his shows

Bündchen revealed that while it was challenging to wear seven different outfits for him on a fashion show, it was impossible for her not to bask in his excitement and love for the art.

"One of my favorite memories will always be the fittings before his shows. Normally, you’d have time for about four outfit changes, but he would sometimes give me seven. I would always wonder, how am I going to make this happen? And even though I was half disheveled from changing so fast, barely making it and running out of breath every time I stepped back onto the runway, I just wanted to make it happen for him because he was always so excited to have me wear those looks."

"At the end, he would grab my hand and take me with him for the final walk on the runway. It was so sweet to feel like he wanted me there by his side. I’ll never forget that."

Bundchen and Valentino at the WSJ Innovator of the Year Awards in 2013

Gisele and Valentino's relationship

Bündchen and Valentino's working relationship dates back decades, with her walking in numerous of his fashion shows in the early aughts, back when she first reached prominence in her career.

Valentino's death was announced yesterday by his foundation. He was 93 years old and a towering figure in fashion, launching his company in 1960, alongside his then-lover and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. They sold the Valentino Company in 1998, with an estimated value of $300 million.

Through his career, he worked with numerous women emblematic of the times, including Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Zendaya. He retired in 2008, yet still stayed in touch with his love of fashion, designing dresses for opera productions.