Fashion Icon Valentino Garavani Passes Away at 93
The Valentino Garavani death has marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in global fashion history. The legendary Italian designer, who built one of the most influential luxury fashion houses in the world, died at the age of 93, his foundation confirmed.
The announcement of Valentino Garavani’s death was made on January 18, through his personal Instagram account and the official page of his foundation, sending waves of grief across the fashion industry and beyond.
“Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” the statement said.
Funeral and Lying-in-State Details Announced
Following the news of the Valentino Garavani death, the foundation released full details of funeral arrangements to allow admirers and industry figures to pay their respects.
Lying in State
- Location: PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, Rome
- Dates: Wednesday & Thursday, January 21 and 22
- Timings: 11:00am to 6:00pm
Funeral Service
- Date: Friday, January 23
- Time: 11:00am
- Venue: Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
- Location: Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
The solemn ceremonies are expected to draw prominent figures from fashion, culture, and international society.
Fashion World and Hollywood Mourn a Giant
The Valentino Garavani death has triggered an outpouring of grief from designers, celebrities, and fashion historians worldwide.
Fashion personality Cameron Silver described Valentino as “one of the greatest,” while former Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli shared his sorrow with a broken-heart emoji, reflecting the deep personal loss felt across the industry.
Hollywood stars, red-carpet regulars, and couture clients have also mourned the designer whose gowns defined glamour for generations.
A Legacy of Timeless Elegance and “Valentino Red”
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Valentino Garavani became synonymous with luxury, refinement, and timeless glamour. His unmistakable “Valentino red” became a global symbol of sophistication and haute couture excellence.
His creations were worn by some of the world’s most famous women, including:
- Jennifer Aniston
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Nicole Kidman
- Anne Hathaway
Through his artistry, Valentino transformed fashion into emotion, elegance, and enduring beauty—cementing his legacy as a true icon.
Early Life and Personal Journey
Born on May 11, 1932, Valentino Garavani spent most of his life in Rome, the city that shaped his artistic soul and creative vision.
He lived with his longtime partner Bruce Hoeksema, a former vice president of the Valentino fashion house. The couple shared their lives together since 1982, forming one of fashion’s most enduring personal partnerships.
An Era Ends, a Legacy Lives On
The death of Valentino Garavani is more than the passing of a designer, it is the closing of a golden era in haute couture. Yet his influence will live on through every red carpet moment, every couture silhouette, and every expression of timeless elegance inspired by his work.
As the world bids farewell, Valentino Garavani’s name remains immortal, etched forever in the history of fashion.