In a statement issued on Monday by his foundation, Garavani was said to have died at his residence in Rome, Italy, surrounded by family members.
Italian fashion icon, Valentino Garavani, renowned for his timeless haute couture and elegant evening gowns worn by some of the world’s most glamorous women, has died at the age of 93.
In a statement issued on Monday by his foundation, Garavani was said to have died at his residence in Rome, Italy, surrounded by family members.
The statement read, “Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.
“The lying-in-state will be held at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, Rome, at 11:00 a.m.”
Born in 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, Garavani — known globally simply as Valentino — trained in the haute couture ateliers of Paris before founding his own fashion house in Rome in 1959.
He rose rapidly to prominence for his mastery of couture and his signature deep scarlet gowns, a shade that became synonymous with his brand and widely known as “Valentino red.”
In 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti, who became his long-time business partner and, for 12 years, his romantic partner. Together, they transformed Valentino SpA into a globally recognised luxury fashion house.
One of his earliest high-profile clients was Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, whom he met in Rome during the filming of Cleopatra in the early 1960s.
His designs soon attracted an elite clientele that included Begum Aga Khan, Queen Paola of Belgium, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins, and Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore a Valentino gown when she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
Valentino’s influence endured across generations.
He spent much of the 1970s in New York, moving within a circle that included artist Andy Warhol and legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. In the 1990s, he became a favourite of supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.
His creations became staples on the red carpet, particularly at the Academy Awards. Notable moments included Jane Fonda’s heavily beaded Valentino gown in 1981; Julia Roberts’ vintage black-and-white gown in 2001; Jennifer Lopez’s pastel mint caftan-style dress in 2003; and Cate
Blanchett’s sunshine-yellow gown in 2005. Roberts and Blanchett both won Oscars in the years they wore Valentino.
At the 2002 Academy Awards, actress Anne Hathaway appeared on the red carpet in an ornate Valentino gown, accompanied by the designer himself.
In more recent years, stars including Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, and Gemma Chan continued to wear Valentino creations at major global events, reaffirming the enduring influence of the brand on international fashion.