Valentino Garavani Dies at 93: 15 Famous Women Dressed by the Italian Designer

The world of high fashion lost one of its most enduring luminaries on January 19, 2026, when Valentino Garavani, the Italian couturier known simply as Valentino, passed away peacefully at his residence in Rome at the age of 93.

Surrounded by loved ones, as announced by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, his departure marked the end of an era defined by unapologetic glamour, meticulous craftsmanship, and an unwavering pursuit of beauty. Often hailed as the “Last Emperor” of fashion or the “Sheik of Chic,” Valentino built an empire on the belief that elegance could elevate the spirit. His signature creations, especially in the iconic “Valentino red” (a vivid poppy hue), became synonymous with timeless sophistication.

Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani on May 11, 1932, in the small town of Voghera in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, he showed an early fascination with design. At 17, he moved to Paris, the capital of couture, to study at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.

There, he apprenticed under masters like Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, absorbing the rigorous techniques of haute couture: precise pattern-making, intricate draping, and the transformative power of fabric on the female form. These formative years instilled in him a reverence for femininity, romance, and detail—elements that would define his lifelong aesthetic.

In 1959, with financial support from his father, Valentino returned to Rome and opened his first atelier on Via Condotti. His breakthrough came swiftly. While filming Cleopatra in Rome, Elizabeth Taylor discovered his work and commissioned a white dress, which she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.

This endorsement catapulted him into the international spotlight. In 1960, he partnered with Giancarlo Giammetti, who handled the business side, allowing Valentino to focus on creation. His 1962 couture debut at the Pitti Palace in Florence solidified his reputation. By the late 1960s, he had dressed royalty, first ladies, and Hollywood icons.

Valentino’s genius lay in his ability to blend opulence with wearability. He favored feminine flourishes—bows, ruffles, lace, intricate embroidery, and flowing silhouettes—while championing clean lines and impeccable tailoring. His famous “no colour” collection of 1967-1968, presented entirely in whites, ivories, and beiges, contrasted with the era’s psychedelic trends and earned him the Neiman Marcus Award.

It also introduced his signature “V” logo. Yet it was Valentino red that became his most enduring mark, a bold, passionate crimson that evoked confidence and allure. He once said he pursued beauty as if it were a religion, and his clothes were sacraments for women who wished to feel like goddesses.

Over nearly five decades, Valentino dressed an extraordinary array of famous women, each embodying different facets of his vision: regal poise, Hollywood drama, modern edge, or quiet elegance. Here are 15 of the most iconic women who wore his designs, their stories intertwined with his legacy.

These women, spanning generations and worlds from royalty and politics to cinema and music, chose Valentino because his clothes made them feel seen, celebrated, and beautiful. His retirement in 2008 after a final haute couture show did not dim his influence. The house continued under successors, but his personal touch remained irreplaceable.

Valentino Garavani’s death at 93 marks the end of an era when couture was an art form for the elite, yet his legacy endures in every red gown that sweeps a red carpet, every bow that adds whimsy, and every woman who feels empowered by elegance.

He reminded the world that true glamour is not superficial; it is a celebration of femininity, joy, and the timeless pursuit of beauty. In his own words, he lived for “the dream of elegance,” and through the women he dressed, that dream lives on.

Photo: Getty Images