Valentino Garavani (1932-2026): The End of an Era and the Eternal Legacy of Fashion’s Maestro

A tribute to the man who transformed couture into timeless art

The fashion world is mourning the loss of Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian couturier whose name became synonymous with elegance, glamour, and romance. Valentino passed away at the age of 93 on January 19, 2026, at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones, his foundation announced.

Valentino, Prêt-à -Porter, Collection © 1997 à Paris en octobre 1996, France. (Photo by PAT/ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

A Life in Color and Couture

Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino’s journey from a young art-obsessed student to the head of one of the world’s most revered fashion houses was nothing short of legendary. Early studies in Milan and Paris gave him a foundation in couture craftsmanship, and by 1960 he had opened his own house in Rome with longtime collaborator and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti.

Valentino became a defining figure in 20th-century fashion, renowned for his masterful tailoring, exquisitely feminine silhouettes, and obsessive attention to detail. But above all, he gifted the fashion world a color that instantly became emblematic of his vision: Valentino red—a vibrant, passionate shade introduced in 1959 that would become a symbol of glamour and confidence.

The Couture Emperor

Throughout a career spanning nearly five decades, Valentino dressed the world’s most influential women. From First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor to contemporary stars walking red carpets well into the 21st century, his designs epitomized sophistication and timeless beauty.

His creations—featherlight lace gowns, structured evening wear, and dramatic dresses in his signature red—were favorites of royalty, Hollywood royalty, and international style icons alike. Beyond the clothes, Valentino’s philosophy was simple yet profound: “I know what women want—they want to be beautiful.” His designs always honored that truth.

Valentino with Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen at the Fall/Winter 1999-2000 show

Tributes from the Fashion World

News of Valentino’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the fashion and cultural landscape. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as an “undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian haute couture,”while contemporaries and observers reflected on his impact on global fashion and culture.

Celebrities and friends, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Cindy Crawford, shared personal memories and heartfelt acknowledgements of his generosity, kindness, and devotion to beauty on and off the runway.

Valentino at the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1997-1998 show in Paris in 1997

Legacy Beyond the Runway

Valentino retired in 2008 after a spectacular farewell that marked 45 years of uncompromising artistry, yet his influence never truly waned. The fashion house he built continues to shape contemporary couture under new creative leadership, and his eponymous foundation carries forward his passion for arts and culture.

His legacy endures not only in the archives of dresses and gowns but also in the timeless ideals he championed: beauty, confidence, and the transformative power of fashion.

Valentino after creating an evening dress for a show in Paris in 1992

Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images