The Italian fashion icon and mind behind one of the most revered couture labels globally has died at 93 years old. The renowned designer breathed his last peacefully at his home in Rome, according to a statement released by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation. The fashion designer has left behind an era associated with haute couture and luxury fashion.
Valentino, or “Valentino” as he was commonly known, loomed large in the world of fashion after dressing princesses, movie stars, and high society in his inimitable designs for over five decades. His legacy transformed the world of couture and defined sophistication and femininity in a way that continues to influence designers to date.
A Style Icon with Signature Red
Valentino was born as Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani in Voghera, Italy, in 1932. He was passionate about beauty and glamour from a young age. He pursued fashion studies in Paris and Milan, and in 1959, he opened a fashion house in Rome, together with his lifelong friend and business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.
Valentino’s vibrant use of colors, particularly his signature ‘Valentino Red,’ as he is famously known today, earned him popularity among the creme de la creme. The signature color came to identify with his name and is a hallmark of elegance.
His works have become the quintessential representation of high fashion of the latter 20th century and have adorned legendary models such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, and Julia Roberts.
Legacy and Influence on Global Fashion
Valentino was more than a designer – Valentino was a cultural link between fashion and glamour. His haute couture creations celebrated femininity and timelessness, eschewing anything fashionable for one season in favour of eternal sophistication.
Over the years, his Fashion label branched into ready-to-wear, accessories, as well as perfumes, transforming Valentino into a fashion house ranging from couture to luxury brands. All along, his work has been infused with beautiful craftsmanship, as well as drama.
Although Valentino retired in 2008, his presence is still widely recognized and respected within the fashion world today, and one finds him being spotted at numerous catwalks and Fashion Weeks, inspiring and encouraging young designers.
Tributes from Around the World
Ever since news of his death spread, tributes have come pouring in from fashion houses, celebrities, and leaders. The Prime Minister of Italy has described Valentino as “an undisputed master of style whose achievements for fashion have enhanced our national cultural heritage.” His colleagues and peers remembered him for his roles as a mentor, a visionaire, and a friend.
Voices in his industry have spoken both to his technical ability and his passion for making clothes which celebrated the beauty and confidence of women and this has inspired generations of designers.
Funeral and Final Honors
Valentino’s foundation announced that his body will lie in state in Rome, with funeral services scheduled in the Italian capital later this week. The ceremonies will pay tribute to his life and mark a moment of reflection for the fashion world and admirers across the globe.
What This Means for Fashion
Valentino’s death marks the end of an era in the history of fashion, which is the era of the great couturiers and their concept of elegance as the result of artistry and craftsmanship. Valentino’s legacy is found in every Red Carpet gown and every Valentino silhouette.
