Valentino Garavani: Farewell to the “Emperor of Fashion” at 93
As the fashion world mourns the passing of Valentino Garavani, the celebrated Italian designer considered one of the greatest masters of haute couture of the 20th and 21st centuries, I thank him for leaving us a story worth telling.
Valentino passed away yesterday, January 19, 2026, in Rome, at the age of 93. With him goes an inimitable icon who gave fashion its own personality and bestowed elegance with a color: red.
Today and forever, red will have only one name:
ROSSO VALENTINO
A Life Dedicated to Beauty
Born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, in northern Italy, Valentino showed from an early age a strong inclination toward beauty, style, and creativity. After studying fashion in Paris, he worked for major fashion houses before founding his own maison in Rome in 1959/1960, together with his longtime partner and collaborator Giancarlo Giammetti.
The Legacy of “Valentino Red”
Valentino became world-renowned for his timeless elegance, sartorial perfection, and refined style—one that no one has ever truly managed to imitate.
He gave color and meaning to elegance through a creativity that was both sober and powerful.
One of the most iconic symbols of his career was “Valentino Red,” an intense shade of red that became synonymous with his name and his haute couture aesthetic. His creations dressed generations of first ladies, princesses, and Hollywood stars.
Among them were Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, and many other iconic women of the highest caliber.
Valentino was a timeless point of reference for feminine elegance.
A Long and Influential Career
Over more than six decades, Valentino captured the highest expression of Italian haute couture. He succeeded in conveying sensuality and refinement in a way that only he could achieve.
Even after his retirement in 2008, his name continued to dominate runways, red carpets, and the world’s most luxurious collections.
Valentino was also renowned for his love of beauty in all its forms—not only in fashion, but in his villas, gardens, and private collections. For him, beauty was a way of life, expressed in every detail.
Tributes from the World of Fashion and Culture
Valentino’s death has been met with deep sorrow from leading figures in fashion, artists, politicians, and friends, all of whom have shared heartfelt tributes and memories of his extraordinary presence.
An Eternal Legacy
With Valentino’s passing, fashion loses one of its most iconic and influential figures. His eternal “V” will echo through time every time a red dress commands attention.
His aesthetic vision—rooted in femininity, color, and craftsmanship—has written a chapter of history and will continue to inspire generations of designers, artists, and lovers of beauty around the world.