Hollywood stars have led an outpouring of grief following the death of legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who passed away peacefully at his home in Rome surrounded by loved ones.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Crawford, Donatella Versace and Sarah Jessica Parker were among the celebrities paying tribute to the couturier, whose six-decade career dressed generations of royalty, movie stars and cultural icons.
Valentino’s foundation confirmed his death in a statement, saying “Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.”
Paltrow, who wore a custom Valentino gown to her 2018 wedding to Brad Falchuk, described the designer’s death as the “end of an era.”
“I was so lucky to know and love Valentino – to know the real man, in private,” she wrote. “The man who was in love with beauty, his family, his muses, his friends… This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Vava.”
Donatella Versace also paid tribute, sharing images of Valentino and acknowledging his longtime business partner.
“Today, we lost a true maestro who will forever be remembered for his art,” she wrote. “My thoughts go to Giancarlo who never left his side for all these years. He will never be forgotten.”
Supermodel Cindy Crawford said she was “heartbroken”, calling Valentino a “true master of his craft.”
“I will always be grateful for the years I had the privilege of working closely with him,” she said.
Sarah Jessica Parker chose a more understated tribute, sharing only Valentino’s birth and death dates alongside the words “RIP VAVA.”
“So many memories. So happy to recall. Of course, wish I had more,” she wrote. “For your extraordinary talent, your decadent generosity and your love of all things beautiful, we are all more fortunate for the grand gestures you shared with the world.”
Once honoured by the mayor of Rome as the second most famous man in Italy behind the Pope, Valentino dressed hundreds of stars including Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Cate Blanchett and Princess Diana. He was also a close friend of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, designing many of her most iconic looks, including her 1968 wedding dress.
Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, the designer first made his mark in Paris before returning to Italy to establish The House of Valentino with business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. His name became synonymous with elegance, luxury and the instantly recognisable “Valentino red.”
Princess Diana famously wore a red velvet and lace Valentino gown in 1992, cementing the colour’s place in fashion history. Valentino later expanded into menswear and accessories, while his brand continued to grow globally.
In 1998, The House of Valentino was sold for $300 million, though the designer remained at the helm as chief designer. Seven years later, it became the first Italian fashion house to be listed on the stock exchange. Valentino retired in 2008, spending his remaining years in Rome.
One of his most quoted reflections on fashion summed up his philosophy: “I know what women want. They want to be beautiful.”
Valentino’s influence extended beyond the runway, with the designer appearing in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, widely believed to reflect his real-life friendship with Anna Wintour.
Valentino will lie in state in Rome from Wednesday to Thursday. His funeral will be held at 11am on Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Piazza della Repubblica.
Though he is gone, Valentino Garavani’s legacy lives on, with his designs continuing to grace red carpets and fashion houses around the world.
