2026-01-20_10-03-52.webp

The Digest:

Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani, known for his elegant couture and signature "Valentino red" gowns, has died at the age of 93. According to a statement from his foundation, he passed away peacefully at his residence in Rome. After founding his namesake label in 1959, Valentino dressed generations of prominent figures, from Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor to modern celebrities on the Oscars red carpet. The designer retired in 2008 after a career spanning nearly five decades, leaving an indelible mark on global fashion.

Key Points:
  • His passing marks the end of an era for a generation of master couturiers who defined 20th-century glamour and craftsmanship.
  • Valentino's brand, now a global luxury house, continues to influence fashion, but his personal creative vision is irreplaceable.
  • He shaped the aesthetics of royalty, Hollywood, and high society while establishing an iconic and enduring brand identity.
  • His career symbolized the pinnacle of post-war Italian elegance and its successful export to the international stage.
  • The timing of his death follows closely that of fellow Italian giant Giorgio Armani, signaling a profound shift in the fashion landscape.
Valentino's legacy endures through his timeless designs and the continued prominence of the fashion house that bears his name.

Sources: CNN, BBC