Valentino has died at the age of 93.
Fashion designer Valentino
The legendary fashion designer died at his home in Rome, “surrounded by his loved ones” on Monday (19.01.26), his foundation said in a statement.
Valentino – whose full name was Valentino Garavani – will be lying in state in the Italian capital’s PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli, 23, from Wednesday (21.01.26) to Thursday (22.01.26), from 11am to 6pm.
The couturier’s funeral will take place at 11am on Friday (23.01.26) at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica, 8, Rome.
Tributes have poured in for the fashion mogul.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni penned on X: “Valentino, undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion.
“Today Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. Thank you for everything.”
Pier Paolo Piccioli who was the creative director of Valentino from 2008 to 2024, took to Instagram and left three broken heart emojis in the comments section of Valentino’s death announcement post by the foundation.
As well as Pier Paolo, supermodel Helena Christensen wrote: “Such wonderful memories with this beautiful, talented man and genius.”
While model Alex Belli typed: “A man, a mentor, a friend!! But your greatness will forever remain with us.”
Meanwhile actress Gwyneth Paltrow – who Valentino dressed in his pink gown for the Met Gala in 2013 and her wedding to TV writer-and-director Brad Falchuk in 2018 – shared a tribute to the late fashion designer on her Instagram account.
Captioning a sweet photo of her kissing his cheek, she wrote: “I was so lucky to know and love Valentino-to know the real man, in private.
“The man who was in love with beauty, his family, his muses, his friends. His dogs, his gardens, and a good Hollywood story. I loved him so much. I loved how he always pestered me to ‘at least wear a little mascara’ when I came to dinner. I loved his naughty laugh.
This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Vava (sic).”
Valentino was born on May 11, 1932, in the small town of Voghera.
His passion for fashion began while he was in primary school, and when he was aged 17, Valentino moved to Paris, France, and studied at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne to pursue his interest.
In 1952, Valentino was hired by designer Jean Desses – known for dressing rich clients and royalty – and five years later, he worked for Guy Laroche.
Following a series of apprenticeships throughout the 1950s, Valentino returned to Rome in 1960 and launched his own fashion house.
Also in 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti, 83, in a cafe, and they went on to become business partners.
They enjoyed a 12-year romantic relationship before it turned into “fraternal love”.
In 2013, Giancarlo – who was with Valentino until his death – told Vanity Fair: “I was just 30 when the physical part of our relationship ended, and it was difficult in the beginning, we had to solve problems with jealousy.
“But we’re all grown up—very grown up—and we know that time solves every problem. We’ve always wanted to be the best for the other. But, you know, from the beginning Valentino and I never lived together.”
She added: “That’s probably why your love for each other lasted.”
Valentino went on to make his international debut in Florence, the Italian fashion capital at the time, in 1962, with his opening collection, which featured what would become his signature shade, red – later known as Valentino red.
His first decade saw him become pals with Jacqueline Kennedy, following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, in 1963.
Jacqueline ordered six of his black-and-white haute couture dresses, and she wore them during the year of mourning for her husband.
Valentino then went on to design the iconic white gown that Jacqueline wore at her wedding to business magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
He also worked with the likes of actresses Elizabeth Taylor, Anita Ekberg and Sophia Loren.
Over the years, Valentino would have more Hollywood clients, including Audrey Hepburn, Dame Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, and Julia Roberts.
In 1998, the designer and Giancarlo sold the Valentino fashion house for a whopping $300 million to HdP, an Italian conglomerate, which, in part, was headed up by Gianni Agnelli, although Valentino continued to work for the company as its creative designer.
In 2006, Valentino made a cameo appearance in the comedy-drama film The Devil Wears Prada, in a scene that recreated one of his shows.
And in 2007, he presented his last collection in Paris before he retired in 2008.
