Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in haute couture and prêt-à-porter, has died in Rome, Italy, at the age of 93.
His death was announced in a statement by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, which said the designer passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.
Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani in Voghera, Italy, on May 11, 1932, Valentino founded his fashion house in Rome in 1960 together with his longtime companion and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. The Valentino name would go on to become synonymous with refined elegance, meticulous craftsmanship, and a distinctive aesthetic that spanned both haute couture and prêt-à-porter. Among the house’s most recognizable signatures was “Valentino red,” a vivid shade that became emblematic of the designer’s work.
Over a career that extended for more than four decades, Valentino dressed heads of state, celebrities, and royalty, establishing himself as one of the defining couturiers of the late twentieth century. Valentino retired in 2008, though his influence on fashion continued to be widely felt.
Valentino’s legacy is also closely linked to several historic royal weddings.
In 1995, he designed the wedding gown worn by Ms. Marie-Chantal Miller for her marriage to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece. The wedding took place on July 1, 1995, at St. Sophia’s Cathedral in London. The couture gown was an ivory silk creation adorned with pearls, featuring intricate lacework, a high neckline, and a 4.5-meter Chantilly lace train, crafted by 25 seamstresses over four months.
In 2002, Valentino designed the wedding dress of Ms. Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti for her marriage to His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange. The wedding took place on February 2, 2002, in Amsterdam, with the civil ceremony held at the Beurs van Berlage and the religious ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk. The iconic gown was made from ivory mikado silk and featured a cowl neckline, three-quarter sleeves, lace inserts, and a dramatic five-meter train.
Valentino’s final major royal bridal commission came in 2013, when he designed the wedding gown of Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden for her marriage to Mr. Christopher O’Neill. The wedding took place on June 8, 2013, at the Slottskyrkan (Royal Palace chapel) in Stockholm. The gown was crafted from silk organza with appliquéd Chantilly lace and was accompanied by a lace-edged cathedral veil.
Valentino Garavani’s work bridged classical couture traditions and modern luxury fashion, earning him international recognition and lasting cultural significance. Through the foundation he shared with Giammetti, his legacy in fashion, art, and philanthropy continues.
The Royal Correspondent 