Valentino Garavani Has Died at 93. The House of Red Says Farewell
I can confirm that Valentino Garavani, the Italian couturier who defined modern glamour, has died at his home in Rome at 93. His foundation has shared arrangements for the public to pay respects, and the city is preparing to honor a true emperor of elegance. The man who turned red into a state of mind is gone, yet his codes are everywhere, alive in every bow, every lace edge, every poised shoulder on a night that matters.
Public farewell in Rome
Lying in state, January 21 and 22, Piazza Mignanelli 23.
Funeral, January 23, Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, 11:00 a.m.
Piazza Mignanelli, the heart of the house, will open its doors for a final salute. Expect a quiet sea of roses, black coats, and the unmistakable note of vibrant red. This is where the legend began, and where the industry will gather to say goodbye.
The Valentino Codes
Valentino built a language of grace. He favored line over noise. He saw power in restraint. His silhouettes stood tall, then softened at the right places. There was always a bow, a whisper of lace, a glint of crystal that never shouted. The result felt pure and strong.
His red became an instant passport to confidence. Not cherry and not brick, his red sat at the center, warm and full, clear and brave. It flattered the skin. It steadied the gaze. On a carpet or in a chapel, it commanded without force.
He loved capes that floated. He loved columns that skimmed rather than squeezed. He cut evening coats that wrapped the body like a gentle shield. Every seam served a purpose, and every gesture felt considered. That sense of care is why his clothes last, and why they still lead.
Stars, Stairs, and a Global Stage
Valentino dressed icons, and he made icons of the women he dressed. Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Princess Diana all chose him for moments that mattered. They knew what his hand could do. He polished the public image while protecting the person inside the dress. That is couture at its highest level.
He founded his house around 1959 with Giancarlo Giammetti, and together they built a world. They created a runway that felt like a salon, private and grand at once. He retired after a 45 year career, then watched his legacy grow. The film Valentino, The Last Emperor, captured his sharp eye and his tender humor. The work never left him. The standard he set never left the industry.
How to Wear Valentino Red Now
The best tribute is wearable. Keep the look crisp, balanced, and calm. Let red lead, then let everything else soften. Think clean skin, smooth shape, and one beautiful focal point.
- Try a neutral, balanced red lip with a satin finish.
- Keep skin fresh, with light coverage and a gentle highlight.
- Pull hair into a low bow or a sleek knot.
- Add lace or a small bow detail, then stop.
Choose a red that makes your face look awake. If you are unsure, pick a classic neutral red. Keep cheeks soft and warm, not bright.
For nails, go classic red with a short shape. For eyes, choose fine liner and light mascara. If you wear red on the body, keep the silhouette simple. A column dress, a capelet, or a clean coat does the job. If you prefer black, add only one red touch, a lip, a glove, or a simple clutch.
Industry Insight, What Changes Next
Valentino’s passing closes a chapter, but it also resets the bar. He proved that glamour ages well when it is built on craft. His legacy tells design teams to find clarity, not gimmicks. It also tells beauty artists to aim for polish that reads at any distance, from flash bulbs to daylight. The house he founded will carry on, but his codes, especially red, will shape collections far beyond its walls.
Expect a return to ceremony, even in daywear. Expect bows placed with precision. Expect lace treated like architecture. The mood ahead will be calm, elegant, and firm.
Valentino believed in love, in color, and in the poise that comes from being prepared. The world could feel loud. He dressed women so they could move through it with grace. That is why his work endures. That is why tonight, in Rome and far beyond, a single low note of red feels like a heartbeat. ❤️
He left us the map, and the color to follow it. In the quiet of Piazza Mignanelli, and in closets around the world, that light still burns bright.
