Valentino Garavani, the Italian couturier who dressed generations of royalty and Hollywood icons in his signature scarlet gowns, has died at his Rome home at 93, his foundation announced Monday.
At a Glance
- Valentino Garavani died at home in Rome at age 93
- His body will lie in state Wednesday-Thursday; funeral is Friday at Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
- He dressed Jackie Kennedy, Julia Roberts, Princess Diana, and countless red-carpet stars
- Why it matters: Valentino defined red-carpet glamour for nearly 50 years, creating timeless gowns that became cultural milestones
The designer’s eponymous foundation praised him as “a true source of light, creativity and vision.” Mourners can pay respects at the foundation’s Rome headquarters on Wednesday and Thursday; the funeral will be held Friday in the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
The Man Who Knew What Women Want
Universally known by his first name, Valentino built a global empire on the premise that “they want to be beautiful.” From his 1959 boutique on Rome’s Via Condotti to his 2008 retirement, he supplied that beauty to first ladies, princesses, and Oscar winners alike.
Jackie Kennedy relied on him almost exclusively after 1968, wearing his long-sleeved lace dress for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis. Julia Roberts accepted her 2001 Best Actress Oscar in a vintage black-and-white Valentino column; Cate Blanchett chose butter-yellow silk for her 2004 Supporting Actress win.
Signature Style
Valentino’s trademarks were unmistakable:
- Valentino red-an orange-tinged scarlet that became his calling card
- Feminine flourishes: bows, ruffles, lace, embroidery
- Impeccable tailoring that flattered without shock value
- A refusal to follow fleeting trends
He once told RTL television that a woman “has always to be sensational, always to please…we are born to show ourselves always at our best.”
Jet-Set Life
Perpetually bronzed and impeccably dressed, Valentino lived as lavishly as his clients. His assets included:
| Asset | Detail |
|---|---|
| Yacht | 152-foot vessel |
| Chateau | 17th-century estate near Paris with >1 million roses |
| Art | Works by Picasso and Miró |
| Homes | New York, London, Rome, Capri, Gstaad |
He and longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti-who handled business while Valentino charmed clients-traveled with a pack of pugs and hosted Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and other A-list friends.
From Voghera to Via Condotti
Born May 11, 1932, in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino fell in love with cinema’s glamour as a child. After fashion studies in Milan and Paris, he apprenticed under Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before founding his own house in 1959.
Early supporters included:
- Italian screen sirens Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren
- Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn
- Vogue editor Diana Vreeland
Brand Expansion and Sale
Valentino added ready-to-wear, menswear, and accessories, turning the label into a global luxury powerhouse. In 1998 he and Giammetti sold the company for an estimated $300 million, though Valentino stayed on as designer for another decade.
His 45th anniversary in 2007 was celebrated with a three-day Roman extravaganza ending in a ball at the Villa Borghese gallery.
Post-Retail Landscape
After Valentino stepped down in 2008, creative direction passed through several hands:
- Alessandra Facchinetti – lasted two seasons
- Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli – launched the Rockstud pump
- Piccioli solo – introduced Pink PP fuchsia; left 2024
- Alessandro Michele – current creative director, former Gucci revitalizer
Ownership today: Qatar’s Mayhoola holds 70%; Kering owns 30% with an option for full control by 2028-29. Richard Bellini became CEO in September.
Legacy on Display
Valentino’s influence endures in museums and media:
- Retrospective at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Louvre wing)
- 2008 documentary “Valentino: The Last Emperor”
- 2011 “virtual museum” app showcasing 300 iconic pieces
Key Takeaways
- Valentino redefined red-carpet glamour for nearly 50 years without a single major fashion misstep
- His gowns marked historic moments: Jackie’s wedding, Julia’s Oscar, countless royal galas
- The brand he founded continues under new creative and corporate leadership, ensuring his vision of timeless elegance lives on
