Iconic Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has passed away at the age of 93. He reportedly died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.
Newsonspot reports that the news was confirmed in a statement shared on Instagram by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, which announced that his body will lie in state ahead of his funeral on Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, located in Rome’s Piazza della Repubblica.
According to the foundation, the lying in state will take place at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani in 1932 in Voghera, near Milan, Valentino developed a passion for fashion at a young age. At 17, he moved to Paris, where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. He later trained under several top Parisian fashion houses before returning to Rome to launch his own brand alongside his longtime business and romantic partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, now 87.
Over a remarkable career spanning more than 60 years, Valentino dressed some of the world’s most famous women, including Princess Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy, Kim Kardashian, and Victoria Beckham. He became globally known for his glamorous gowns, fine tailoring, and his signature colour, famously called “Valentino Red.”
Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow paid an emotional tribute to the late designer, describing him as a man deeply in love with beauty, family, friends, and life itself. She recalled how Valentino dressed her for major events such as the Met Gala, award ceremonies, and her 2018 wedding to Brad Falchuk.
Fans, models, and celebrities also flooded the foundation’s comment section with tributes. Supermodel Helena Christensen described him as a talented genius, while many fans hailed him as an emperor of fashion whose legacy will live on forever.
Beyond fashion, the Valentino brand expanded into beauty, launching its first fragrance in 1979 and later introducing a makeup line in 2021. His influence on global fashion remains unmatched, marking the end of a truly historic era.
