Legendary Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani Passes Away at 93

Fashion has lost a giant. Valentino Garavani, who defined elegance for decades, has died. His final years were marked by silence and rare appearances.

Valentino Garavani, the visionary behind one of fashion's most iconic houses, passed away on January 19, 2026. His death marks the end of a long, quiet retreat from public life and invites reflection on a career defined by beauty, creativity, and influence.

The announcement was made by the Valentino Garavani Foundation on social media.

According to the foundation's Instagram page, Garavani died peacefully at his residence in Rome, surrounded by loved ones.

Details of the memorial were also announced. A public lying in state will take place at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, on January 21 and 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

His funeral is set for Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m., at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Piazza della Repubblica, Rome.

In his final years, Valentino made a few public appearances. In October 2025, he was honored with the WWD John B. Fairchild Lifetime Achievement Award, but did not attend the ceremony.

His longtime business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, accepted the award on behalf of the brand. Actress Anne Hathaway, a longtime supporter of Valentino, presented the award on stage.

In a separate Instagram post, Valentino called the recognition "a profoundly moving moment" and expressed deep gratitude. He also highlighted the ongoing mission of the Fondazione Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, which supports fashion, art, and philanthropy.

Rare Public Moments Before His Death

Among his last known public appearances were two events that drew attention. In 2018, Valentino attended the world premiere of "Ocean's 8" in New York City, appearing alongside Hathaway.

The following year, in 2019, he was seen at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in Milan, where he was photographed with actress Sophia Loren.

These quiet moments, captured years before his passing, are now seen as symbolic farewells from a designer who had largely stepped away from the spotlight.

Garavani's name remains closely tied to a legacy of elegance and cultural relevance. That legacy continues through the Valentino brand and the work of the Fondazione Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti.