Valentino Garavani Dies at 93: Italian Fashion Icon Behind “Valentino Red” Mourned in Rome

Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian couturier who built one of fashion’s most recognisable names and helped define modern red-carpet glamour, has died aged 93. A statement from his foundation said he died at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.

In announcements shared by international media, the foundation said the public will be able to pay their respects during a lying-in-state in Rome on January 21 and 22, with a funeral service scheduled for January 23 at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. For ongoing confirmed updates, readers can follow reporting from Reuters’ coverage of the foundation statement.

A designer who made elegance a global language

Over a career that spanned decades, Valentino became synonymous with immaculate tailoring, sweeping couture silhouettes, and a signature scarlet shade so closely associated with his work it earned its own shorthand: “Valentino red.” His gowns became staples for actresses, royals, and society figures, turning couture into a kind of global visual diplomacy—instant recognition, no translation needed.

Born in Voghera, northern Italy, Valentino trained in Paris before returning to Rome to build a fashion house that would grow into an international emblem of Italian style. He later retired from the runway spotlight in the late 2000s, but his aesthetic—clean lines, controlled drama, and luxurious finish—continued to ripple through fashion long after his final bow.

What happens next

Memorial arrangements released publicly outline scheduled opportunities for the public to pay tribute in central Rome, followed by a funeral service later in the week. Details may evolve as the city, the fashion house, and the designer’s foundation coordinate tributes and security for visitors.

Additional reporting on the planned viewings and funeral details has been published by People’s report on the foundation announcement.

A lasting legacy in couture and culture

Even beyond the atelier, Valentino’s influence was cultural: his name became a shorthand for “dress-up” at its most refined, and his work helped shape what modern formalwear looks like in photographs, on awards-show carpets, and at state occasions. In an era that repeatedly reinvented glamour, his vision remained remarkably consistent—romantic, polished, and unapologetically beautiful.

Tributes from designers, celebrities, and fashion institutions are expected as the industry marks the passing of a figure widely viewed as one of couture’s defining architects.