[A photo of a vibrant, red rose; Photo Credit: Pexels]

On January 19, 2026, the fashion industry bid farewell to an icon, Valentino Garavani, 93, the celebrated Italian fashion designer renowned for his elegant and glamorous styles. 

He passed away peacefully at his home in Rome surrounded by his loved ones, according to his foundation, Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti’s announcement on Instagram.

Famously known by his first name, Valentino retired in 2008, but is still well known to this day for his signature color “Valentino red.”

Valentino first began his designing career in 1962 at the Pitti Palace in Florence.

His career grew rapidly, earning him the 1967 Neiman Marcus Fashion Award.

Garavani dressed celebrities and other prominent figures such as former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy for her wedding dress in 1968 and for actresses Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn.

His success continued into the 1990s, with supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell wearing his intricate and vibrant designs, according to CNN.

In the early 2000s, Garavani created countless gowns for actresses at the Oscars.

Notable examples include: Jane Fonda’s wonderfully beaded gown, Julia Robert’s iconic black and white dress, and Jennifer Lopez’ pastel mint, one-shouldered dress. 

His work was praised by several figures in the fashion world, including Pierpaolo Piccioli, another renowned designer, who expressed to Valentino, “You were my mentor without ever needing a lectern; you had no need of one. You taught me that fashion is joy, though a profoundly serious kind of joy.”

Similarly, Reinaldo Herrera, the husband of the designer Carolina Herrera has stated that Valentino had “set the barometer of luxury.”

Even after retirement from his 45 years of work, his passion did not stop as he continued to create feminine couture for women like Anne Hathaway and Princess Madeleine of Sweden according to the New York Times.

His dedication to his craft was clear as during his interview in 2011, he stated, “I have to love my collection; I have to create my own personal things for the season. If I like it, then movie stars and the ladies around me are also very fond of it.”

As his legacy endures, multiple people have expressed grief for his passing:

According to the BBC, Alexandra Shulman, the former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, stated, “It is very sad news because he was one of the last of the great designers of the modern day, and I think his main contribution will be that he was what people wanted a fashion designer to be…"

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow posted on social media  that it “feels like the end of an era…[he was a man] in love with beauty, his family, his muses, his friends…”

Sophia Loren, a Hollywood star, called him a “kind soul, full of humanity” and added “You were a friend, and your art and passion will forever remain a source of inspiration” according to Barron’s.

The passing of Valentino has not only marked the end of a defining era in fashion, one shaped by elegance and enduring inspiration, but has also paved the way for its development up to this day.

It has been announced that his funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd, and from now on, may he rest in peace.