Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in global haute couture, has died at the age of 93. His foundation announced that he passed away peacefully at his residence in Rome, surrounded by family.
Valentino was born in 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, and trained in Paris before establishing his fashion house in Rome in 1959. He rose to international recognition for his refined evening wear and a distinctive shade of scarlet that became known worldwide as Valentino red. Over time, the colour came to define the brand and set it apart on runways and red carpets.
The designer’s career took a decisive turn in 1960 when he met Giancarlo Giammetti, then an architecture student. Giammetti became his long time business partner and, for more than a decade, his romantic partner. Together, they transformed Valentino SpA into a global luxury label with clients spanning royalty, Hollywood and international high society.
Among Valentino’s earliest high profile clients was actress Elizabeth Taylor, whom he met in Rome during the filming of Cleopatra in the early 1960s. His designs were later worn by figures such as Begum Aga Khan, Queen Paola of Belgium, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins and Jacqueline Kennedy, who chose a Valentino gown for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis.
Through the 1970s and beyond, Valentino divided his time between Europe and New York, moving within artistic and fashion circles that included Andy Warhol and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. In the 1990s, his work gained renewed visibility through supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, while his gowns became fixtures at major international award ceremonies.
At the Academy Awards, Valentino designs were worn by several Oscar winners, including Jane Fonda in 1981, Julia Roberts in 2001 and Cate Blanchett in 2005. In later years, stars such as Zendaya, Carey Mulligan and Gemma Chan continued to select the label for major red carpet appearances, keeping the brand relevant to new generations.
Known for his immaculate tailoring and polished personal style, Valentino also had a passion for art, architecture and gardens. He owned several homes across Europe and the United States, including a historic chateau near Paris, and was devoted to his pug dogs, often speaking about them with affection in public interviews.
Valentino sold his company in 1998 to Italian conglomerate HdP for an estimated 300 million dollars but remained involved until his retirement in 2008. His final show, staged at the Musée Rodin in Paris, brought together leading figures from fashion and entertainment, with models closing the show in identical red gowns.
After his departure, the house was led by designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, followed by Alessandro Michele, reflecting wider shifts within the global fashion industry. Tributes following Valentino’s death came from political leaders, fellow designers and celebrities, recognising his role in shaping Italian fashion and influencing couture worldwide.
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