Legendary fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died aged 93

The death of legendary fashion designer Valentino Garavani has been announced by the 93-year-old’s foundation. The acclaimed Italian couturier was said to be at his home when he died.

The Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation said: “Valentino Garavani passed away today ‌at his Roman residence, ‌surrounded by his loved ​ones.”

Valentino was born in Voghera, in the Italian province of Pavia, in 1932, named after his mother’s screen idol Rudolph Valentino. Founder of the Valentino brand and company, his main lines include Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino.

A star of the hit movie The Devil Wears Prada, he made a cameo as himself in the film centering on the world of haute couture in 2006. He announced his retirement in September 2007, when he said he would be stepping back from the world stage in January 2008 after his last haute couture show in Paris. That month, his final haute couture show was presented in Paris at the Musée Rodin.

Many of the world’s biggest stars have worn Valentino designs including Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Sophia Loren, Princess Diana, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

He won numerous awards over the years including the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, presented to him by French president Jacques Chirac in 2006, the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion from the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2011, the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented to him by Jeremy Irons in 2017, and in 2023, Valentino won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Fashion Awards.

It is understood Valentino will be lying in state at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23, in Rome, from 11am to 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday (January 21-22), according to reports. The funeral is due to take place on Friday (January 23) at 11am at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome.