Legendary Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani Passes Away at 93

Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino fashion house, has passed away at the age of 93. The news of his death was announced on the designer’s official Instagram page.

"Valentino Garavani passed away today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones," the statement read. A public farewell ceremony will take place this Wednesday and Thursday at the Garavani Foundation’s exhibition hall. The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
A Life of Elegance and Red Dresses.

Born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Italy, Valentino showed a passion for drawing from a young age. He pursued his dreams at the Academy of Arts in Milan before moving to Paris at the age of 17. After working as an assistant for Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, he returned to Italy in 1960 to establish his own brand.

His client list featured some of the world’s most iconic women, including Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Princess Margaret. Valentino’s "Haute Couture" and "Prêt-à-Porter" collections became global symbols of luxury, femininity, and sophistication, often defined by his signature "Valentino Red."

In 1998, he sold his fashion house to businessman Gianni Agnelli but continued to lead the creative direction for another decade. His final farewell show took place in Paris in 2008, marking the end of a legendary era in the fashion world.