Italian Fashion Maestro Valentino Garavani Passes Away

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

Valentino Garavani, the renowned Italian fashion designer famous 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 and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation announced his passing, stating, "Valentino was a constant guide and inspiration to all of us, a true source of light, creativity, and vision."

The lavish dresses created by Valentino have been regarded as unparalleled for half a century. The red hue he used became a signature of his designs, 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, the 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, famous 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 designed by him.

His famous remark, "I know what women want. They want to be beautiful," is still widely quoted today. 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 continue to inspire generations."

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

He began his golden era in 1960 when he started collaborating with Giancarlo Giammetti, his lifelong partner and companion. Valentino expanded his business by diversifying into menswear, ready-to-wear, and accessories. In 1998, he sold the brand to an Italian holding company for 300 million dollars and devoted himself exclusively to design. After stepping back from the business front 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.