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Apparel and accessories

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani dies at 93

January 19, 2026

Mr. Valentino’s history in the fashion industry dates back to 1960. Image credit: Valentino Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has passed away. Image credit: Valentino

 

Valentino Garavani, founder of Italian fashion label Valentino, has passed away.

Today, a statement from The Fondazione Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti announced that the designer died at the age of 93 in Italy, surrounded by family and close friends. He leaves behind a legacy of glamour, with designs beloved by fashion enthusiasts and famous patrons from Hollywood to royalty; his funeral will take place on Jan. 23 in Rome.

Lasting impact
Born in 1932, Mr. Garavani developed a passion for fashion from an early age, learning to sew from his aunt. He later moved to Paris, where he studied at École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.

He began working with Greek fashion designer Jean Dessès in 1952 and stayed at the couture house until 1957, when he was hired as a designer for French fashion designer Guy Laroche.

At the age of 26 in 1959, Mr. Garavani debuted his first runway collection. It was this presentation that featured a strapless cocktail dress in the striking red hue that became synonymous with the brand’s “Valentino red” shade.

The next year, Mr. Garavani met his business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, who helped to grow the business into a powerhouse. Iconic women such as Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland and Jackie Kennedy often wore Mr. Garavani’s designs.

In the late 1990s, the businessman sold his company to Italian conglomerate HdP for approxiamately $300 million. He worked at the eponymous fashion house until retiring in 2008 after nearly half a century in the industry.

Upon his retirement, Italian fashion designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli helmed the fashion house as co-creative directors until Mr. Piccioli took over. He stepped down in March 2024 and was succeeded by Italian fashion designer Alessandro Michele (see story).