Italian Fashion Maestro Valentino Garavani Passes Away

Signature "Valentino Red"
Creator of Iconic Dresses for Celebrities and Actors

Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer renowned for his glamorous red dresses, passed away on the 19th (local time) at the age of 93.

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

According to the Associated Press and other sources, the Valentino Garavani & Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation announced his passing, stating, "Valentino was a constant guide and inspiration to all of us, and a true source of light, creativity, and vision."

The lavish dresses created by Valentino have been considered unparalleled for half a century. The red hue he used became a signature of his designs and is known as "Valentino Red." Although he was hailed as a master of haute couture, he did not pursue controversial or ostentatious styles.

The dresses he made for prominent political figures and celebrity actors always attracted attention. One of his creations was the cream-colored lace dress worn by Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, when she remarried Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968.

World-famous actresses also adored Valentino's glamorous dresses. Elizabeth Taylor captivated audiences at the Rome premiere of the 1960 film Spartacus in a feather-adorned dress designed by Valentino. Audrey Hepburn, famed for "Roman Holiday," was also a fan of his creations. The black-and-white gown worn by Julia Roberts when she won Best Actress at the 2001 Academy Awards, and the yellow dress worn by Cate Blanchett when she won Best Supporting Actress in 2005, were both his works.

His remark, "I know what women want. They want to be beautiful," remains a widely quoted saying. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, "He was an undisputed master of elegance and an eternal symbol of Italian haute couture," adding, "We have lost a legend, but his legacy will inspire generations to come."

Born in May 1932 in the northern Italian province of Pavia, Valentino harbored a unique passion for fashion and moved to Paris, France, where he learned his craft under French designers such as Guy Laroche. After returning to Italy, he founded his own company, the Valentino House, in 1959 and entered the fashion business.

He began his heyday in 1960 when he started collaborating with Giancarlo Giammetti, who became his lifelong partner, both professionally and personally. Valentino expanded his business by introducing menswear, ready-to-wear, and accessories. In 1998, he sold the brand to an Italian holding company for 300 million dollars and devoted himself solely to design. After stepping back from the business in 2007, he established a charitable foundation with Giammetti in 2016 and continued his philanthropic activities.

The funeral will be held on the 23rd at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.