Valentino, the legendary Italian fashion designer and founder of the global brand "Valentino," has died at the age of 93 at his home in Rome, with his family by his side.
Foreign news agencies reported that Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer known for creating evening gowns favored by some of the world’s most glamorous women for decades, passed away on 19 Jan 2026 at the age of 93, according to an announcement from his foundation.
A statement posted on Instagram said Valentino “passed away peacefully today at his home in Rome, surrounded by the love of his family.”
Valentino was born in Voghera, northern Italy, in 1932. He honed his skills in Paris haute couture houses before founding his own brand in Rome in 1959. Early in his career, he became known for his bright red dresses, which became his signature color, famously called “Valentino Red” in the fashion world.
In 1960, he met Giancarlo Giammetti, then an architecture student, who became his long-term business partner and romantic partner for 12 years. Together, they built Valentino SpA into an internationally recognized brand.
Valentino’s popularity continued steadily over the decades. He spent much of the 1970s in New York City, moving in wide social circles that included notable figures such as artist Andy Warhol and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland.
In the 1990s, he became the favorite designer of the era’s supermodels, including Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.
His creations frequently appeared on red carpets, especially at the Oscars. Notable gowns include the sparkling sequin evening dress worn by Jane Fonda in 1981 when she accepted the Best Actress award on behalf of her father, Henry.
Other highlights include the vintage black-and-white gown Julia Roberts wore in 2001, the pastel mint kaftan worn by Jennifer Lopez in 2003, and the bright yellow dress Kate Blanchett wore in 2005. At the 2011 Oscars, Anne Hathaway walked the red carpet in a finely crafted couture piece from the 2002 fall collection, accompanied personally by Valentino himself.
Contemporary stars such as Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, and Gemma Chan have also worn Valentino’s designs, receiving widespread acclaim.
In 1998, Valentino sold his company to HdP, an Italian multinational group, for about 300 million U.S. dollars. However, he continued to work with the company afterward.
Valentino retired from fashion in 2008 after a career spanning over 45 years, marking one of the longest careers in the fashion world. His retirement was celebrated with a star-studded fashion show at the Rodin Museum in Paris, where all models wore the signature “Valentino Red” evening gowns during the finale.
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Source:cnn