Valentino Garavani, Iconic Italian Designer, Dies at 93

Valentino Garavani has died at age 93 in Rome. The legendary designer is remembered for timeless couture and refined personal style.

Valentino Garavani, the legendary designer who shaped modern couture with grace and discipline, has died. He passed away Monday at his residence in Rome, surrounded by loved ones. He was 93.

Known worldwide simply as Valentino, the Italian couturier built a career on precision, romance, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. While his gowns dressed royalty, movie stars, and first ladies, Valentino’s own personal style was just as considered.

In public, he favored tailored elegance. Sharp suits cut close to the body, often in deep navy or classic black, were his uniform. Crisp white shirts, silk pocket squares, and polished loafers completed the look. Even in later years, his wardrobe remained consistent, refined, and unmistakably his. There was never excess, only balance.

At formal appearances, Valentino leaned into old-world glamour. Velvet jackets, perfectly pressed trousers, and subtle accessories spoke to his belief that luxury should whisper, not shout. His love for clean lines and rich textures reflected the same values seen throughout his collections.

Valentino will lie in state at PM23, located at Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome.

As the fashion world mourns, Valentino Garavani leaves behind more than a brand. He leaves a standard of elegance that defined generations and a personal style that never needed reinvention.