Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian designer whose name became synonymous with timeless glamour, has died in Rome at the age of 93. Celebrated for his luxurious gowns and unwavering sense of style, he dressed generations of the world’s most famous women and earned his place as one of fashion’s true legends.
The Designer Who Dressed the World’s Most Powerful Women
Known simply as Valentino, he was adored by royals, first ladies and Hollywood stars alike. From Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, his clients trusted him to make them feel confident, beautiful and unforgettable.
“I know what women want,” he once said. “They want to be beautiful.” That philosophy guided a career defined not by provocation, but by refinement. Valentino avoided fleeting trends, creating elegant, fail-safe designs that dominated red carpets for decades. His gowns became Oscar-night staples, including Julia Roberts’ black-and-white dress in 2001 and Cate Blanchett’s butter-yellow silk gown in 2004.
Among his most personal creations was the lace wedding dress Jackie Kennedy wore in 1968 when she married Aristotle Onassis. Their friendship lasted decades, and for a time the former first lady wore almost nothing but Valentino. His close bond with Diana, Princess of Wales, further cemented his status as a designer trusted by women under the brightest spotlight.
From Movie Dreams to Fashion Royalty
Valentino was born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, northern Italy, into a comfortable family. He often credited his childhood love of cinema for igniting his passion for fashion, fascinated by movie stars who appeared flawless and larger than life.
After studying in Milan and Paris, he worked in the 1950s for renowned designers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before founding his own fashion house on Rome’s Via Condotti in 1959. Early supporters included Italian film icons Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren, along with Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Vogue editor Diana Vreeland also championed the young designer, helping propel him onto the global stage.
His signature style soon became unmistakable: bows, lace, ruffles, embroidery and, above all, the vivid shade that became known as “Valentino red.”
A Life of Beauty, Luxury and Lasting Influence
Valentino lived much like the elite clients he dressed. Always impeccably groomed, he shared a jet-set life with longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti, moving between homes in Rome, Paris, New York, London, Capri, Gstaad and beyond. His world included a 17th-century château near Paris, a vast rose garden, a yacht, prized artworks by Picasso and Miró, and a close circle of celebrity friends such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
His fashion empire expanded to include ready-to-wear, menswear and accessories. In 1998, Valentino and Giammetti sold the brand for an estimated $300 million, though Valentino remained creatively involved until his retirement in 2008. His career was later celebrated through major museum exhibitions and the acclaimed documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.
Valentino’s body will lie in repose at his foundation’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday. His funeral will be held on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
