Valentino, fashion designer to the jet set, dies aged 93 in Rome

Legendary Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani Dies at 93

Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian designer whose elegant gowns graced royalty, celebrities, and first ladies for nearly half a century, died at his home in Rome on Monday. He was 93.

“Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision,” his foundation announced in a statement. His body will lie in repose at the foundation’s Rome headquarters Wednesday and Thursday, with the funeral scheduled for Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.

Known simply as “Valentino” throughout the fashion world, the designer built his reputation on creating timeless, feminine designs that celebrated beauty above all else. “I know what women want,” he once said. “They want to be beautiful.” This philosophy made him the undisputed king of red-carpet fashion and a favorite among the global elite.

Valentino’s distinctive “Valentino red” became his signature, though his design trademarks extended to exquisite details like bows, ruffles, lace, and embroidery. These feminine flourishes enhanced his creations without overwhelming them, embodying his belief that fashion should accentuate a woman’s natural elegance.

His client list read like a who’s who of international celebrity. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was both a loyal customer and close friend, wearing almost exclusively Valentino designs for many years, including the long-sleeved lace dress for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis. Princess Diana frequently chose his sumptuous gowns for high-profile appearances.

Valentino dominated Hollywood awards seasons as well. In 2001, Julia Roberts wore a vintage black-and-white Valentino column dress to accept her Best Actress Oscar. Three years later, Cate Blanchett collected her Best Supporting Actress award in a butter-yellow silk one-shouldered Valentino gown.

Born to a well-off family in Voghera, Italy, on May 11, 1932, Valentino credited his childhood love of cinema for steering him toward fashion. “I was crazy for the silver screen, I was crazy for beauty, to see all those movie stars being sensation, well dressed, being always perfect,” he explained in a 2007 interview.

After studying in Milan and Paris, he apprenticed with established designers Jean Desses and Guy Laroche before launching his own house on Rome’s prestigious Via Condotti in 1959. His business partner and longtime companion, Giancarlo Giammetti, managed the financial side while Valentino cultivated relationships with influential clients.

Despite some early financial struggles—Valentino’s extravagant personal tastes often extended to business expenditures—the brand quickly attracted a devoted following. Italian screen legends Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren were early devotees, alongside Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. American Vogue’s influential editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland became an important champion of his work.

As his reputation grew, so did his empire. Ready-to-wear collections, menswear, and accessories expanded the Valentino brand globally. In 1998, Valentino and Giammetti sold the label to an Italian holding company for approximately $300 million, though Valentino remained as chief designer for another decade.

The designer’s own lifestyle mirrored that of his jet-set clientele. He maintained homes across the globe—from Paris and Rome to New York, London, Capri, and Gstaad—and traveled aboard a 152-foot yacht. His art collection included works by Picasso and Miró, and his 17th-century château near Paris reportedly featured gardens with over a million roses.

In 2007, Valentino marked his 45th anniversary in fashion with a lavish three-day celebration in Rome, culminating in a grand ball at the Villa Borghese gallery. He formally retired the following year, though his influence on the house continued.

Leadership of the brand passed through several hands after Valentino’s departure. Alessandra Facchinetti’s brief tenure gave way to the successful partnership of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. After Chiuri left for Dior in 2016, Piccioli continued as creative director until 2024, when Alessandro Michele, formerly of Gucci, took the helm.

Today, Qatar’s Mayhoola owns a 70% stake in Valentino, with French luxury conglomerate Kering holding the remaining 30% and an option to take full control by 2029.

Valentino’s legacy extends beyond fashion. His work has been celebrated in museum retrospectives, including one at Paris’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The 2008 documentary “Valentino: The Last Emperor” chronicled the end of his career, while a “virtual museum” launched in 2011 preserves his most iconic designs for future generations.

In the ever-changing world of high fashion, Valentino maintained an unwavering commitment to beauty, elegance, and impeccable craftsmanship—values that ensured his place among fashion’s greatest legends.