The fashion world mourns the passing of Valentino Garavani, the Italian designer who has
embodied for decades the timeless elegance and aesthetic identity of Made in Italy. Valentino is
died on January 19, 2026 at the age of 93 in his Roman residence, surrounded by the affection of the
his loved ones, as announced by his foundation.
With his passing, an extraordinary chapter of international fashion closes: that of a
creator who was able to combine the deep Italian sartorial tradition with a global vision,
shaping the very idea of feminine luxury for more than four decades.
The profile of a master
Born in Voghera on May 11, 1932, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani showed from a young age
a passion for fashion. After studies in Paris and experience as an apprentice at large
names, including Jean Dessès, founded his house in Rome in 1960 together with his partner and companion of
life Giancarlo Giammetti, giving birth to one of the most famous brands in the haute couture scene
world.
During his career, Valentino became famous for creations that combined refinement
sartorial, femininity and impeccable balance between classicism and modernity. Iconic element and
distinctive of its aesthetic was the so-called “Valentino Red”, an intense shade that became
unmistakable symbol of his style and his house.
Over the years she dressed some of the most iconic women of the 20th century and beyond, by Jacqueline
Kennedy Onassis to Elizabeth Taylor, from Sharon Stone to Penélope Cruz, consolidating the
international reputation of a brand capable of combining elegance, art and Italian identity.
A career of elegance and innovation
For almost forty years Valentino personally led his fashion house, which became synonymous with
haute couture, haute couture and discreet luxury. Her ability to tell the story of femininity through
perfect silhouettes, fine fabrics and precious details made him one of the most respected couturiers and
admire your time.
In 2008, Valentino announced his retirement from the catwalks with a celebratory parade in Paris after
have set the pace of fashion for over four decades. The maison later continued under the
leadership of successors such as Pierpaolo Piccioli, keeping alive the founder’s stylistic legacy.
In the last years of his life, Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti devoted particular attention
to the promotion of art and culture through the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Foundation
Giammetti, who in 2025 inaugurated the PM23 exhibition space in the centre of Rome, a place of dialogue
between fashion, contemporaneity and creativity.
The legacy of an Italian symbol in the world
Valentino was not only a great designer, but an ambassador of Italian elegance to the world.
With his rigorous vision of aesthetics, he helped define the image of Italian luxury on
global scale, making its home one of the flagships of the international fashion system. The
its aesthetic language has influenced generations of designers and creatives, demonstrating that
Elegance can be both timeless and deeply personal. His creations, like this
like the stories of icons who wore them, remain part of the cultural heritage and
immaterial of contemporary fashion.
Commemorations and condolences
The chapel of rest will be set up at the Foundation’s headquarters in Piazza Mignanelli
23 in Rome on January 21 and 22, while the funeral will be held on January 23, 2026 at 11:00 am at the
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Piazza della Repubblica. Messages of condolence
are coming from all over the world: institutions, big houses, movie stars and
culture remember Valentino not only as a master of style, but as the guardian of an idea of beauty
which has involved generations and continents
Valentino Garavani left an indelible mark on the history of world fashion, not
only for the technical perfection of his creations, but for his profound ability to read and
interpret elegance as a universal language of humanity and aesthetic aspiration.
In an age where fashion is racing, chasing trends and changing pace every season, Valentino has
embodied the testimony that authentic elegance does not pass with time, passes through it and
transforms. His vision remains a compass for anyone who looks at fashion not as a
ephemeral phenomenon, but as if to a cultural expression of eternal value.