Valentino Garavani. Photo: Reuters / Denis Balibouse.
According to media reports and the designer's charitable organization, Valentino Garavani passed away in his Roman home, but the cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
This designer, known as the "emperor" of fashion, became a symbol of Italian style and held an esteemed place alongside legends such as Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, shaping the face of haute couture in the second half of the 20th century.
Throughout his long career, he created outfits for many celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy, and also designed dresses for the Oscars. He was the first Italian couturier to walk the runways of Paris haute couture.
His unique fabrics, such as georgette and chiffon ruffles, as well as his use of the budellini technique, earned him numerous awards, including France's highest civilian honor in 2006.
The shade "Valentino red" became an integral part of all his collections and a symbol of the brand. The designer himself emphasized that his main goal was to create beauty.
The last Valentino collection show took place in Paris in January 2008. In 2012, the Valentino fashion house was purchased by the Qatari fund Mayhoola, and in 2023, the Kering group acquired 30% of the shares with the intention of a full buyout in the future.
