Legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani dies at 93

Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century, has died at the age of 93. His death was confirmed by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, which said the designer passed away at his home in Rome. No cause of death has been made public.

Known globally simply as Valentino, Garavani was regarded as a defining figure in Italian haute couture. His career spanned more than six decades and helped shape the modern luxury fashion industry, with his work becoming synonymous with elegance, precision and timeless design.

From Rome to international acclaim

Building a global couture house

Born in Voghera, northern Italy, in 1932, Valentino studied fashion in Paris before returning to Rome, where he founded his fashion house in 1960. His early collections attracted immediate attention for their refinement and craftsmanship, establishing his reputation in Italy’s competitive fashion scene.

By the late 1960s, Valentino had achieved international recognition. His designs were worn by royalty, Hollywood stars and political figures, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. The Valentino brand expanded rapidly, opening boutiques across Europe, the United States and Asia, and cementing its place among the world’s leading luxury houses.

Signature style and lasting influence

Elegance, restraint and Valentino red

Valentino’s work was characterised by clean silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and a focus on classic beauty rather than passing trends. He became especially known for his bold yet refined use of colour, particularly the vivid red gowns that came to be known as “Valentino red”.

Fashion historians have long credited him with preserving the traditions of haute couture at a time when ready-to-wear fashion was increasingly dominant. His ability to balance modernity with classical influences ensured that couture remained relevant well into the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Retirement and legacy

Stepping away from the runway

Valentino retired from active design in 2008, marking the end of his career with a high-profile final couture show in Paris. Although he stepped away from daily involvement, his presence remained central to the identity of the fashion house he founded.

In later years, he focused on cultural and philanthropic projects, including the work of the Valentino Foundation, which supports arts and cultural initiatives in Italy. The Valentino brand has continued to thrive, carrying forward the aesthetic and values he established.

Reaction from the fashion world

Tributes to a master couturier

Tributes have poured in from across the global fashion industry, with designers, models and cultural figures describing Valentino as one of the last great couturiers of his generation. Many have highlighted his role in elevating Italian fashion and reinforcing the global reputation of “Made in Italy”.

Italian cultural institutions have also acknowledged his contribution, noting that Valentino’s work helped project Italian creativity, craftsmanship and elegance onto the world stage.

A career that shaped couture

• Valentino Garavani has died in Rome at the age of 93, with his death confirmed by the Valentino Foundation.
• He founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960 and became one of the most influential figures in global haute couture.
• His career spanned more than six decades and was defined by elegance, craftsmanship and the iconic “Valentino red”.
• The Valentino brand remains one of Italy’s most important luxury fashion houses, continuing his legacy beyond his retirement in 2008.

Enduring impact

A legacy that outlives its creator

Valentino Garavani’s death marks the end of an era in haute couture, but his influence is expected to endure through his designs, his fashion house and the generations of designers inspired by his work. He leaves behind a legacy defined by timeless style, discipline and a vision of elegance that continues to shape fashion today.