KUALA LUMPUR – The global fashion industry is in mourning following the passing of Valentino Garavani, the visionary Italian designer who redefined luxury and elegance for over six decades. He was 93.
The Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation confirmed that the legendary couturier passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.
A Legacy of Red-Carpet Elegance
Founded in 1960, the House of Valentino became synonymous with sophistication and the iconic “Valentino Red.” His designs were a staple on the world’s most prestigious red carpets, dressing a star-studded clientele that included Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, and former U.S. First Lady Nancy Reagan.
Valentino’s influence placed him in the same pantheon of fashion greats as Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, shaping the aesthetic of 20th and 21st-century high fashion.
Final Tributes in Rome
Public viewings for the late designer are scheduled to take place at Rome’s Piazza Mignanelli on January 21 and 22. This will be followed by a funeral service at the historic Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs, where friends, family, and industry peers will gather to pay their final respects.
In 2023, Valentino was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards in London, a testament to his enduring impact on the sartorial world even long after his formal retirement in 2008.
An Era Comes to an End
While Valentino stepped away from the helm of his brand years ago, his philosophy of beauty and glamour remains the cornerstone of the label. His passing marks the end of an era for the original masters of Italian couture, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire designers worldwide. (Kayla Shabirah)
