Farewell To Fashion Icon Valentino: The Maestro'S Legacy Lives On

Fashion World Mourns an Icon

Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian fashion designer, has passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by his foundation on Monday. He died peacefully in his Rome residence on January 19, marking the end of an era in fashion history. Valentino's dazzling career saw him grace the wardrobes of Hollywood's elite and royals alike.

A Star-Studded Clientele

Throughout his illustrious career, Valentino dressed icons like Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Barbra Streisand, and legendary actresses Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, and Monica Vitti. Perhaps most notably, he designed the wedding gown for Jackie Kennedy's marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968, capturing the world's attention with its revolutionary style.

“Today, we lost a true maestro who will forever be remembered for his art. My thoughts go to Giancarlo who never left his side for all these years.” – Donatella Versace

From Beginnings to Global Fame

Born in the northern Italian town of Voghera in 1932, Valentino was destined for glamour, named after the famed Hollywood star Rudolph Valentino. His journey in fashion began at the tender age of 17 when he attended L’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris. Apprenticeships with fashion powerhouses like Balenciaga, Jean Dessès, and Guy Laroche honed his craft.

In 1960, he launched his own fashion house in Rome, supported by his parents. That same year, he met Giancarlo Giammetti, his partner in both life and business, whose strategic prowess helped propel the Valentino brand onto the global stage.

An Unforgettable Legacy

Valentino's couture was synonymous with luxury and jet-set lifestyle. His opulent homes in Rome, New York, London, Gstaad, and the Château de Wideville in France were legendary, as were his parties. The 2007 three-day extravaganza for Valentino's 45th anniversary, attended by Mick Jagger and Claudia Schiffer, is still talked about today.

Even after his retirement in 2008, Valentino remained a social fixture and continued to influence fashion – appearing in films like "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Zoolander 2". His legacy was immortalized in the 2008 documentary "Valentino: The Last Emperor."

Enduring Impact on Fashion

Valentino's fashion house changed hands several times but remained a powerhouse under various owners. Most recently, in 2023, Kering acquired a 30% stake, with an option to fully purchase by 2029, ensuring his influence endures.

As fashion luminaries like Donatella Versace and many others pay tribute, Valentino's body will lay in state in Rome's historic Piazza Mignanelli, with a funeral scheduled at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs on Friday. The world bids farewell to a true arbiter of style, but his impact on fashion will forever linger in the fabric of the industry.