The world-renowned Italian designer, founder of his eponymous brand Valentino and the Valentino company, Valentino Garavani, has passed away at the age of 93. His death marks the end of an era for the fashion world, which he helped shape with his visionary designs and timeless elegance.
According to a statement from the Garavani Foundation, Valentino died today, January 19, at his residence in Rome, surrounded by close family and loved ones. The farewell to the maestro will take place over January 21–22, with the funeral scheduled for Friday, January 23, at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, located at Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome.
Valentino Garavani is celebrated as one of the most influential couturiers of the 20th century. He was born on May 11, 1932, in the small northern Italian town of Voghera. The foundation of what would become the Valentino fashion empire was built not in the grand fashion capitals, but in modest, private workshops. From an early age, Valentino gained hands-on experience under the guidance of his aunt Rosa and the local designer Ernestina Salvadeo. This “homegrown” education instilled in him a deep understanding of garment construction—knowledge that could never be fully learned from textbooks alone.
Valentino’s parents, Teresa and Mauro, were steadfast supporters of their son’s passion for fashion. They provided the encouragement and stability he needed to pursue his dreams. Their faith in him enabled him to gain admission to the Milan Academy of Arts, and by the age of 17, he had set off to conquer Paris, the global center of haute couture. There, within the prestigious walls of the School of Fine Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, Valentino refined his aesthetic and honed his skills, transforming from a determined young student into a legendary figure in fashion history.
Throughout his illustrious career, Valentino Garavani dressed some of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. His creations graced the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, and countless other celebrities and royals. Each design reflected his signature elegance, attention to detail, and commitment to timeless beauty, cementing his reputation as a master of couture.
Valentino’s passing is not just the loss of a designer, but the farewell to an era of elegance, sophistication, and artistry in fashion. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of designers, models, and fashion enthusiasts around the world, and his influence will forever be woven into the fabric of fashion history.
