The Last Emperor of Elegance: Valentino Garavani Dies at 93, Casting a Shadow Over Milan Fashion Week
ROME, Italy – The world of fashion has lost its most ardent worshiper of beauty. Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian couturier who defined global glamour for over half a century and turned a specific shade of red into a cultural icon, died on Monday, January 19, 2026. He was 93.
The news broke just as Milan Fashion Week was beginning to hit its stride, instantly shifting the atmosphere from celebration to somber reflection. What was meant to be a showcase of future trends has instead become a living tribute to the man who arguably did more than any other to establish Italy as the ultimate destination for high-fashion sophistication.
A Final Farewell in the Eternal City
Valentino passed away at his private residence in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones. The announcement was made by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, the foundation he established with his lifelong partner and business mastermind.
In a statement that echoed the designer’s own poetic devotion to his craft, the foundation remarked:
“Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity, and vision.”
The city of Rome, which Valentino called home and where he maintained his historic headquarters at Piazza Mignanelli, will serve as the backdrop for his final journey.
- Lying in State: Wednesday, Jan 21 and Thursday, Jan 22 at Piazza Mignanelli 23 (11:00 am – 6:00 pm).
- Funeral Service: Friday, Jan 23 at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri at 11:00 am.
The Birth of “Valentino Red”
Born in Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino’s obsession with the aesthetic began at a young age. After studying in Paris and apprenticing under greats like Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, he returned to Rome in 1959 to open his own house.
It was during a trip to the opera in Barcelona that he had a “red epiphany.” Seeing women in the audience “leaning forward like geraniums on balconies” in their crimson gowns, he decided that after black and white, there was no color more powerful. This led to the creation of “Valentino Red”—a specific, fiery blend of 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 10% black.
For the next 50 years, no Valentino collection was complete without at least one red dress, a tradition that culminated in his 2008 retirement show where every single model walked the runway in his signature hue.
Draping the World’s Most Iconic Women
Valentino’s career was a “Who’s Who” of the 20th and 21st centuries. He didn’t just design clothes; he crafted armor of elegance for the world’s most scrutinized women:
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: He famously designed the lace dress for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis and the black mourning dresses she wore following the assassination of JFK.
- Hollywood Royalty: From Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn to modern muses like Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and Julia Roberts (who wore a vintage Valentino to accept her 2001 Oscar).
- The Modern Muse: Stars like Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman remained loyal to his vision of “silent luxury” long after his formal retirement.
Tributes from the Fashion Elite
The news has triggered an outpouring of grief from his peers. Donatella Versace described him as a “true maestro,” while Pierpaolo Piccioli, who served as the house’s creative director for years, shared a heartfelt tribute: “For you, beauty was never a luxury… it was a form of defense, a place of safety.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in, calling Valentino an “undisputed master of style and an eternal symbol of Italian high fashion.”
As Milan Fashion Week continues, the industry grapples with the end of an era. With the recent passing of Giorgio Armani in September 2025, the departure of Valentino marks the final closing of the chapter of the “Great Italian Masters.”
Valentino often said, “I know what women want. They want to be beautiful.” For nearly a century, he made sure they were.
For more updates on the tributes planned during Milan Fashion Week and detailed funeral arrangements, visit: https://shorturl.at/IN2xA
