Legendary Italian Designer Known as “the Red Haute Couture Master” Passes Away, Prompting Tributes Across the Fashion World

Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer whose name became synonymous with refined elegance and the iconic hue known simply as “Valentino red,” has died at the age of 93. The announcement, made by his foundation, confirmed that the legendary couturier passed away peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.

Widely regarded as one of the towering figures of 20th-century haute couture, Garavani’s career spanned decades of transformations in art, culture, and luxury fashion. Born in Voghera, in northern Italy, he trained in Milan and Paris before opening his eponymous fashion house in Rome, where he introduced a brand of elegance that married classic craftsmanship with a romantic sensibility.

From the outset, Valentino’s vision was distinctive. His signature shade of red — a rich mix of carmine and scarlet with a hint of orange — debuted in a 1959 cocktail dress and quickly became a hallmark of his collections. The colour would come to define his aesthetic and the identity of his brand.

Over the years, Valentino’s creations graced the world’s most illustrious stages. Royals, first ladies, and Hollywood stars alike wore his gowns: from Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor to Julia Roberts and Princess Diana. His work combined meticulous tailoring with an innate understanding of how clothing could enhance poise, confidence, and presence.

Tributes poured in from across the globe following the news of his passing. Italy’s prime minister praised Valentino as an “undisputed master of style and elegance and an eternal symbol of Italian haute couture.” Designers, models, and actors expressed admiration for his artistry and generosity, calling him a mentor, a pioneer, and a true maestro whose influence transcended fashion alone.

Within fashion circles, Garavani was revered not just for his aesthetic achievements but for his personal approach to his craft. He maintained deep and lasting relationships with his clients and collaborators, many of whom credited him with shaping their own understanding of style and beauty. His long-standing partnership — both professional and personal — with Giancarlo Giammetti was widely recognized as foundational to the growth and success of the Valentino house.

In addition to couture, Valentino expanded his brand into ready-to-wear collections, accessories, and fragrances, ensuring that his influence would be felt well beyond the fashion capitals of Paris and Milan. Though he retired from active designing years earlier, his name remained at the core of the fashion conversation, and his legacy continued through the work of his successors and the ongoing vitality of the Valentino label.

His death marks the end of a seminal chapter in modern fashion history. Critics and historians alike have noted that Valentino represented a moment when the designer’s vision was paramount — when creativity, elegance, and craftsmanship were not just commercial assets but cultural forces.

Public homage to Garavani’s life and work is expected to take place in Rome, where admirers will have the opportunity to pay their respects, and where his contributions to fashion will be celebrated by peers and the public alike. The Valentino house released a short tribute that framed his legacy as one rooted in beauty, brilliance, and an unshakable devotion to the art of dressing the world’s most remarkable women.

In remembering Valentino Garavani, the fashion world mourns not just a designer but a visionary whose command of line, colour, and grace left an indelible imprint on style and culture. His creations — and the ideals they embodied — will live on in the wardrobes of those he clothed and the countless designers he inspired.