The fashion industry laments the death of renowned designer Valentino Garavani at the age of 93
The Iconic “Valentino Red” and the Italian Maestro of Haute Couture Take Their Final Curtain.
At the age of 93, Valentino Garavani, the creative force behind the transformation of Italian high fashion into a worldwide icon of elegance, passed away. For the industry he helped define for more than 60 years, his passing signifies the end of an era.
The renowned designer died quietly at home in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones, according to a statement issued by his foundation and personal representatives.
The official statement posted on social media verified that “our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.”
In remembrance of his enormous legacy, a lying-in-state will take place at Rome’s Piazza Mignanelli on January 21 and 22. On Friday, January 23, there will be a funeral liturgy in the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
The designer, Clemente Ludovico Garavani, was born in 1932. He underwent intense schooling at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris before reaching the heights of fashion. He returned to Italy in 1960 to found the House of Valentino after refining his technique under the tutelage of industry luminaries like Jacques Fath and Balenciaga. His flawless draping and invention of “Valentino Red,” a color that came to represent strength and refinement on the international scene, made him renowned very fast.
Garavani became the go-to designer for the most powerful women in the world over his illustrious career. His touch was a mainstay of the Hollywood red carpet, from wearing Elizabeth Taylor for her most famous appearances to dressing contemporary luminaries like Nicole Kidman and Anne Hathaway. With a spectacular role in the 2006 movie “The Devil Wears Prada,” he even went beyond the catwalk to become a part of pop culture history.
The 2008 documentary “Valentino: The Last Emperor” chronicled his life and painstaking process after he formally retired from the runway in 2007. Numerous honors were given to him in recognition of his artistic talents, including the American Academy of Achievement’s 2017 Golden Plate Award.
Bruce Hoeksema, Garavani’s lifelong collaborator and former vice president of Valentino, was beside him during his latter years. When the fashion industry looks back on his life, he leaves behind a legacy of beauty that revolutionized modern elegance and a brand that still leads the industry.
