Italian Fashion Legend Valentino Garavani Dies Aged 93

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, the founder of the Valentino fashion house and one of couture’s most recognisable figures, has died aged 93. His namesake foundation confirmed his death on Monday, saying he passed away at his home in Rome surrounded by loved ones.

The announcement was shared on social media by the foundation, which has overseen his philanthropic work in recent years. Funeral arrangements will take place later this week in Rome, where he will lie in state for several days.

From Voghera to Paris and Rome

Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani in Voghera in 1932, he showed an early fascination with fashion and left Italy at 17 to study couture in Paris. After training under established houses, he returned home with a clear vision. In 1959, he opened his own fashion house in Rome, launching what would become one of Italy’s most enduring luxury brands.

His work gained attention for its precision, colour, and confidence. In the same year, he introduced the vivid shade that later became known as Valentino red. The colour soon defined his collections and helped set his brand apart on international runways.

Dressing Power and Pop Culture

Valentino’s rise accelerated in the 1960s when Jacqueline Kennedy began wearing his designs. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, she ordered six couture dresses in black and white from his atelier. He later designed her wedding dress for her 1968 marriage to Aristotle Onassis, a look that helped cement both designer and client as enduring style references.

His gowns also appeared on Hollywood red carpets, worn by stars including Elizabeth Taylor and Julia Roberts. Valentino maintained close ties to cinema and popular culture. He appeared as himself in The Devil Wears Prada and became the subject of the 2008 documentary Valentino The Last Emperor, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Beyond design, Valentino supported charitable causes, co founding the L.I.F.E. charity and donating one million euros to Covid 19 relief. Italy and France recognised his cultural impact with national honours.

More details are expected as tributes continue to emerge from across the fashion world.