Valentino Garavani, Icon of Elegance and Founder of a Fashion Empire, Dies at 93

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The fashion world is mourning the loss of the legendary Valentino Garavani, a much-loved designer in Italy. Remembered for his ability to create breathtaking couture designs, Valentino died on January 19, 2026, aged 93 years old. According to his foundation, he died peacefully at his Rome residence with his loved ones around him.

Valentino was born in 1932 in Voghera, Italy. He was fascinated by the concept of beauty and design right from his childhood. After training in the couture ateliers of Paris, he returned to Italy to launch his own fashion house in Rome in 1959-1960. This marked the beginning of a company which would become known for luxury, romance, and style.

The Man Behind the Red

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Valentino's signature contribution to style wasn't just in silhouette or stitch; it was in colour. The rich, sensual scarlet that was and is famous as "Valentino Red" was, in and of itself, not merely a colour but a badge of strength, of passion, of excellent taste. He included a red dress in nearly every one of his collections, turning a colour into a cultural touchstone.

Across his storied career, Valentino dressed royalty, film stars and first ladies alike, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana to contemporary icons like Julia Roberts and Zendaya. His vision of beauty was not based on fleeting fashion trends but on a sophisticated approach with a strong emphasis on theatrical sense of drama.

A Legacy of Glamour and Grace

Valentino's influence was not limited to the catwalks. His life and work have been the subject of films, including the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor in 2008. He was recognised as a charming and life-loving individual who was admired not only in the fashion world but in the whole world.

He ran his fashion house until retiring in 2008 and continued to be a respected voice in fashion after that. Valentino didn't just create a brand; he created a timeless idea of beauty that connected with women across generations.

Tributes and Farewell

Tributes poured in from all corners of the style universe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Valentino as an "undisputed master of style and elegance and an eternal symbol of Italian haute couture."

The foundation has announced that Valentino's body will lie in state in Piazza Mignanelli in Rome on January 21 and 22, with a funeral service slated for January 23 at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.

The End of an Era, the Start of a Legacy

Valentino Garavani's passing is like the turning of a page in the history of fashion: one filled with craftsmanship, glamour, and of course his signatory bright red that always stood out.
Though he is no longer with us, his memory and legacy breathe in his designs, his red-carpet creations, and poise that his designs brought to women across the globe.