One of the fashion world’s giants, Valentino Garavani, the renowned fashion designer whose name became synonymous with Italian glamour, has passed away at the age of 93. He died peacefully at his home in Rome on January 19, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
“The Maison remembers Mr. Valentino Garavani with deep emotion and profound affection. His unique style and innate elegance will remain forever,” the foundation wrote in a post.
“We share with heartfelt sympathy the grief of his loved ones, and we remain committed to preserving and elevating the valued creative, cultural, and human heritage he entrusted to us, upon which Maison Valentino is founded.”
“His life was a beacon in the ceaseless pursuit of beauty, and guided by that same beauty, we will continue to honour his memory with our deepest devotion.”
In the wake of his death, many have paid tribute to the iconic designer.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni dubbed him an “undisputed master of style”. His fashion contemporary, Donatella Versace, also called him a “true maestro” and a loyal friend.
Born in 1932 in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino discovered his passion for fashion at a young age. After honing his craft in Milan and Paris, he returned to Rome in 1959. It was there, a short time later, that he opened his own salon on Via Condotti.
His breakthrough came in the early 1960s, when a collection shown in Florence captured international attention. Soon, his designs were gracing the world’s most famous women. Our January cover star, Jackie O Kennedy Onassis, became a devoted client, wearing Valentino throughout her post-White House years. Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, and later Princess Diana, Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts all turned to Valentino.
Central to his legacy is “Valentino red”, a vivid red hue that came to symbolise passion, romance and power. Alongside it were his immaculate gowns, fluid silhouettes and an unwavering belief that clothes should enhance, never overwhelm, the woman wearing them.
Though he sold his company in 1998, Valentino remained its creative force until his retirement in 2008. His final haute couture show in Paris was both a farewell and a celebration, attended by longtime friends and muses.
He will be laid in state at the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation in Rome, with a funeral held at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri later this week.
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