Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer revered worldwide as the “emperor” of haute couture and the creator of the iconic “Valentino Red,” has died at the age of 93. His foundation confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home in Rome on Monday. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Valentino Garavani was one of the last towering figures of an era when fashion was defined by artistry, craftsmanship, and the personal vision of couturiers. Ranked alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, he helped shape global luxury fashion long before the industry evolved into a highly commercial enterprise.
Born in Voghera, near Milan, Valentino founded his eponymous fashion house in Rome in 1960, building it into one of Italy’s most celebrated luxury brands. He became the first Italian designer to appear on the prestigious Paris haute couture calendar, cementing his international reputation.
Central to his legacy was “Valentino Red” — a distinctive blend of carmine and scarlet with a hint of orange, inspired by an elegant elderly woman he once observed at Barcelona’s opera house. Introduced in 1959 through a strapless cocktail dress, the colour became synonymous with his name and philosophy. “I think a woman dressed in red is always wonderful; she is the perfect image of a heroine,” Valentino wrote in his 2022 book Rosso. He famously included at least one red dress in every collection.
A lifelong lover of beauty and cinema, Valentino dreamed of dressing Hollywood’s leading ladies. His designs graced icons such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor—whose wedding gown he designed—as well as Oscar winners including Sharon Stone and Penélope Cruz. His romantic creations, often understated at first glance, were renowned for intricate detailing, luxurious fabrics, and refined craftsmanship.
Valentino’s signature techniques included flowing georgette, chiffon ruffles, ornate embellishments, and the exclusive budellini method—hand-rolled wool tubes wrapped in silk and meticulously stitched together. His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including France’s highest civilian honour in 2006.
In 2007, Rome hosted a lavish three-day celebration honouring Valentino’s decades-long career. Shortly afterward, he announced his retirement from fashion design, stating, “This is the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion. I would like to leave the party when it is still full.” His final runway show took place in Paris in January 2008.
Although he sold his fashion empire ahead of his retirement, the Valentino brand continued to thrive. The business was acquired by Qatari investment fund Mayhoola in 2012, with French luxury group Kering later taking a minority stake in 2023 and planning full acquisition in the coming years.
In his later life, Valentino remained active in cultural patronage alongside his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti. In 2025, their foundation opened the PM23 gallery in central Rome, adjacent to the Valentino headquarters. Its inaugural exhibition, Horizons/Red, fittingly celebrated the colour most closely linked to his legacy.
“Red is not just a colour,” Giammetti said at the opening. “It is a symbolic and aesthetic force of extraordinary power.”
Valentino Garavani leaves behind an enduring legacy defined by elegance, timeless beauty, and an uncompromising devotion to craftsmanship that transformed fashion history.
