Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer who dressed everyone from Princess Diana to Gwyneth Paltrow has died at the age of 93.
The news was announced Monday by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, which shared on social media: “Our founder, Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.”
Garavani founded the luxury fashion house in Rome in 1960, and it quickly became known as a leading “maison de haute couture.”
The designer had a long-held reputation for dressing public figures. He famously designed the wedding gown worn by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at her marriage to business tycoon Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
His other creations included Audrey Hepburn’s white lace gown in How to Steal a Million (1966), Julia Roberts’s Y-neck halter gown, which she wore for her Best Actress Oscar win in 2001, and Cate Blanchett’s pale yellow, one-shoulder silk taffeta gown when she won Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator in 2005.
Follow along for updates as tributes pour in for the late designer.
Key points
- Valentino Garavani dies aged 93
- Italian PM pays tribute
- Valentino's most iconic celebrity looks
- Gwyneth Paltrow toasts 'end of an era'
Nicola Peltz Beckham remembers wedding dress designer
19:30 , Carsen HoladayNicola Peltz Beckham shared a tribute to Valentino Garavani Monday by posting three pictures of the late designer to her Instagram story.
The actor wore a custom Valentino dress at her April 2022 wedding to Brooklyn Beckham.
Giancarlo Giammetti shares brief message
19:03 , Carsen HoladayAfter Valentino Garavani’s death Monday, his Valentino co-founder and longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti shared a brief tribute to his personal Instagram after announcing the news on their joint foundation’s platform.
Alongside a black and white picture of the late designer, Giammetti wrote: “…forever…”
Gwyneth Paltrow pays tribute to longtime designer
18:49 , Carsen HoladayActor Gwyneth Paltrow has shared an Instagram post remembering Valentino Garavani, who was her longtime friend and designer.
Paltrow captioned a picture of her kissing Garavani’s cheek, “I loved him so much. I loved how he always pestered me to ‘at least wear a little mascara’ when I came to dinner. I loved his naughty laugh.”
“This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Vava.”
Garavani famously dressed Paltrow for her wedding to Brad Falchuk, as well as for the 2013 Met Gala.
Valentino's relationship with Jackie Kennedy
18:24 , Tom MurrayGaravani and Kennedy first met in Rome in the early 1960s, when the then-First Lady was seeking clothes that were elegant but understated enough for public life.
Garavani’s association with Kennedy helped grow his reputation in the United States, and he spent much of the 1970s based in New York City.
Their bond deepened after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Jackie turned to Valentino for mourning-appropriate clothing. In 1964, she famously wore a black Valentino gown to the White House state dinner honouring French culture.
The most famous chapter came in 1968, when Jackie chose Valentino to design her wedding dress for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis.
Later that year, Garavani dedicated his all-white couture collection to Jackie, which was met with critical acclaim and commercial success.
In a 2009 interview with Vanity Fair, Garavani recalled Kennedy telling him: “I love your work, and I like you very much. You are a fantastic human being. I’m going to take my friendship for you to my grave.”
Valentino's most iconic looks
18:06 , Tom Murray
Valentino's funeral plans revealed
17:48 , Tom MurrayIn it’s statement, the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti shared the plans for Valentino’s funeral.
“The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday January 21st and Thursday January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm,” it stated.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pays tribute
17:41 , Tom Murray“Valentino, undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion,” the Italian leader shared on X.
“Today Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. Thank you for everything.”
Valentino, maestro indiscusso di stile ed eleganza e simbolo eterno dell’alta moda italiana.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 19, 2026
Oggi l’Italia perde una leggenda, ma la sua eredità continuerà a ispirare generazioni. Grazie di tutto. pic.twitter.com/hN5afQFSnp
Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93
17:35 , Tom MurrayValentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer known mononymously as Valentino, has died. He was 93.
In a statement on social media, Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti said: “Our founder, Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.
“The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday January 21st and Thursday January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”
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