Valentino: The Maestro of Couture Dies at 93
The fashion world is in mourning following the death of Italian legend Valentino Garavani, who passed away peacefully in Rome, Italy, at 93 years old.
Renowned for his “Valentino red” gowns, the designer’s career spanned nearly half a century, defining 20th-century glamour through opulence and what his successor, current Valentino creative director Alessandro Michele, described as a “boundless love of beauty”.
Despite retiring in 2008, his aesthetic remained influential. Valentino’s influence reached from European royalty to Hollywood’s elite. He famously dressed Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana, while modern stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Zendaya continued his red-carpet legacy.
Paltrow fondly recalled his personal warmth, noting: “I loved how he always pestered me to ‘at least wear a little mascara’ when I came to dinner.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as the “eternal symbol of Italian high fashion”.
Former British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman noted that he “epitomised glamour and luxury”, staying true to his belief that women simply “want to be beautiful”.
A lying in state will occur this week in Rome, followed by a funeral on Friday, 23 January. As the industry reflects on his departure, many recall his own prophetic words from 2008: “After me, the deluge.”
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