Fashion World Bids Farewell to Legendary Designer Valentino in Rome

Global fashion luminaries gathered at Rome’s historic Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri on Friday to pay their final respects to Valentino Garavani, the iconic designer who died Monday at age 93 in his Rome residence.

The funeral service attracted a constellation of fashion industry elite, including designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, along with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Hollywood star Anne Hathaway. Outside the basilica, admirers assembled in tribute, many dressed in red or carrying red accessories as homage to the designer’s signature “Valentino Red” – the vibrant crimson hue that became synonymous with his brand.

The ceremony followed a two-day public viewing at the Valentino foundation’s headquarters in Rome, where hundreds gathered to honor the man often referred to as the “last emperor” of Italian fashion. While Valentino maintained his primary atelier in Rome throughout his career, he typically showcased his collections in Paris, bridging the two fashion capitals with his distinctive aesthetic.

Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino’s longtime personal and professional partner, delivered an emotional tribute during the service. “I want to thank Valentino for teaching me beauty,” Giammetti said, his voice breaking. “It was a beauty that followed us throughout our lives. We met when we were kids, we dreamed of the same things, and we achieved many of them. Our journey will always continue.”

The pair’s partnership formed the foundation of one of fashion’s most enduring success stories, creating a global empire built on elegance, craftsmanship, and timeless design.

Valentino’s six-decade career established him as a favorite among royalty, first ladies, and Hollywood celebrities. His client list included fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jordan’s Queen Rania, and numerous Hollywood stars. His designs were particularly prominent on Oscar red carpets – notably in 2001, when Julia Roberts accepted her Best Actress award wearing a vintage black and white Valentino column dress. In 2005, Cate Blanchett collected her Best Supporting Actress Oscar in a butter-yellow silk one-shoulder Valentino gown.

Valentino’s influence on fashion extended far beyond his signature red dresses and elegant evening wear. He championed a vision of femininity that combined Italian craftsmanship with French sophistication, creating a distinctive design language that influenced generations of designers. His atelier’s painstaking attention to detail and commitment to haute couture traditions preserved artisanal techniques that might otherwise have been lost in today’s fast-fashion world.

The designer officially retired in 2008, following a spectacular three-day celebration in Rome that marked the 45th anniversary of his fashion house. However, his legacy continues through the Valentino brand, now under different creative direction but still bearing his unmistakable influence.

The funeral in Rome represents not just the end of Valentino’s life but also the closing of a chapter in fashion history. He was among the last of a generation of designers who built independent fashion houses bearing their names and defined luxury fashion in the post-war era, creating institutions that transformed from personal creative ventures into global luxury brands.

As the fashion world says goodbye to Valentino, his influence remains visible throughout the industry in the continuing appreciation for refined elegance, meticulous craftsmanship, and the enduring power of a perfect red dress.