On Monday January 19th, fashion legend Valentino Garavani passed away at age 93. Founder of the iconic luxury brand of the same name, he and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti founded the Italian label Valentino in 1960. Known for dressing Hollywood’s elite celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Julia Roberts, his influence on both runway and red carpet fashion was undeniable.
Born in the small town of Voghera Italy, Valentino started his career as a fashion apprentice before moving to Paris to attend École des Beaux-Arts. After gathering experience in fashion and working under Europe’s most distinguished fashion designers, he moved to Rome to start the iconic luxury brand Valentino.
Valentino became known for his love of red, and the brand quickly became popular among celebrities and wealthy Europeans. “Red is life, passion, love; it’s the cure for sadness,” Valentino wrote in his 2022 book Valentino Rosso. “I think a woman dressed in red is always wonderful, she is the perfect image of a heroine,”
After officially launching Valentino in the early 1960s, the brand made its international debut in July of 1962, displaying one of its first and most successful collections at the Pitti Palace in Florence. This collection brought worldwide attention to Valentino, and the brand became an overnight sensation.
Valentino’s designs became incredibly popular with Hollywood celebrities, creating countless looks for some of Hollywood’s leading ladies in the 1960’s. He created Elizebeth Taylor’s 1961 dress for the premiere of her film Sparticus, as well as Audrey Hepburn for Vogue in 1969.
Aside from being Hollywood’s favorite designer, he also became a favored designer in the world of politics, specifically for first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Valentino designed many looks for her in the late 1960’s and they became good friends, with Valentino even designing her wedding dress for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.
Valentino’s timeless taste for elegant red gowns remained present on red carpets. As time went on, Valentino continued to be a go-to designer for celebrities. Valentino designed looks for the A-list through every decade, including Julia Roberts, Jenifer Lopez, and Zendaya.
Starting as an inexperienced fashion designer from a small town in Italy, and ending with one of the most influential designer brands of all time, Valentino passed at the age of 93 a fashion legend. Growing up as a lover of fashion, Valentino’s significance on both pop culture and red carpet fashion was unquestionable. Valentino’s unique perspective differed from clothes of the past, seeing clothes as a way to highlight vanity rather than trying to tone it down. Many fashion enthusiasts will continue to celebrate Valentino’s influence, and remember him for years to come. As Valentino continues to create and dress the next generation of celebrities, it is certain that his legacy will live on forever.
