At a Glance
- Valentino Garavani, the Italian designer famed for his signature red gowns, died at home in Rome at age 93
- His foundation announced Monday that funeral services will be held Friday at Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
- Valentino dressed generations of royals and celebrities including Jackie Kennedy, Julia Roberts and Princess Diana
- Why it matters: His nearly 50-year career defined red-carpet glamour and shaped how celebrities dress for major events
Valentino Garavani, whose glamorous gowns became the gold standard for red-carpet dressing, has died at age 93 in his Rome home. The designer’s foundation announced his death Monday, setting funeral services for Friday at one of Rome’s largest churches.
The Man Who Knew What Women Want
“I know what women want,” Valentino once declared. “They want to be beautiful.” This simple philosophy guided a career that spanned nearly five decades and dressed everyone from American first ladies to Hollywood royalty.
Born May 11, 1932 in Voghera, Italy, Valentino fell in love with fashion through cinema. His childhood obsession with movie stars and their perfect style led him to study fashion in Milan and Paris before founding his Rome house on Via Condotti in 1959.
From Rome to Global Empire
The early years weren’t easy. After working for Paris designers Jean Desses and Guy Laroche, Valentino struck out on his own with business partner Giancarlo Giammetti handling finances while Valentino charmed clients. Financial troubles nearly sunk the company before Italian screen legends Gina Lollobrigigda and Sophia Loren became early fans.
By the 1960s, Valentino’s star was rising. American Vogue editor Diana Vreeland championed his work, and soon Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn were wearing his designs. The brand expanded into ready-to-wear, menswear and accessories before Valentino and Giammetti sold to an Italian holding company for an estimated $300 million in 1998.
The Red Carpet King
Valentino’s fail-safe designs made him the go-to designer for awards season. His gowns graced countless Academy Awards ceremonies, including:
- Julia Roberts’ vintage black and white column when she won Best Actress in 2001
- Cate Blanchett’s butter-yellow silk one-shoulder gown for her 2004 Best Supporting Actress win
- Jacqueline Kennedy’s long-sleeved lace dress for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis
The designer’s trademark “Valentino red” – an orange-tinged shade – became as famous as his celebrity clients. Beyond red, his designs featured bows, ruffles, lace and embroidery that emphasized feminine beauty over edgy fashion statements.
Jet-Set Lifestyle
Valentino lived as luxuriously as his clients. His empire included:
- A 152-foot yacht
- A 17th-century chateau near Paris with over a million roses in its garden
- Homes in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland
- An art collection featuring Picasso and Miro works
He and Giammetti traveled with their pugs between residences, hosting A-list friends including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Valentino maintained his perfectly tanned appearance and impeccable style even in retirement.
The End of an Era
Valentino retired in 2008 after a 45-year career, replaced briefly by Alessandra Facchinetti before Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli took over. The house continued under new creative directors, with Piccioli leading through 2024 before Alessandro Michele took the reins.
Today, Valentino is owned by Qatar’s Mayhoola (70% stake) and French luxury conglomerate Kering (30% stake), with Richard Bellini named CEO in September. The brand’s current ownership structure includes an option for Kering to take full control by 2028 or 2029.
Legacy Beyond Fashion
Valentino’s influence extended beyond clothing. In 2011, he and Giammetti launched a “virtual museum” – a free desktop application showcasing 300 of his iconic designs. He was the subject of retrospectives including one at Paris’ Musee des Arts Decoratifs and the 2008 documentary “Valentino: The Last Emperor” that chronicled his career’s end.
The designer’s body will lie in state at his foundation’s Rome headquarters Wednesday and Thursday before Friday’s funeral at Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. His foundation called him “a true source of light, creativity and vision” in their announcement Monday.
From his first Rome boutique in 1959 to his final collection in 2008, Valentino Garavani built an empire on making women feel beautiful. His red gowns, celebrity clients and jet-set lifestyle defined an era when fashion was about glamour, not statements – a philosophy he carried from his childhood cinema obsession to his final designs.
