Designers, business leaders and global celebrities pay tribute to Valentino Garavani’s unmatched legacy and enduring mark on fashion.
A Silence Fell Over Fashion Week
The news of Valentino Garavani’s death arrived quietly — yet its impact thundered across the global fashion industry.
It came at the tail end of Milan Men’s Fashion Week, a moment typically filled with celebration, creativity and spectacle. Instead, conversations shifted from collections to memories, from trends to gratitude. Within hours, designers, CEOs, models, stylists and cultural figures from every corner of the world began sharing their grief — and their reverence.
At 93 years old, the legendary Italian couturier passed away at his home in Rome, leaving behind not just a fashion house, but an entire philosophy of beauty.
Valentino was not merely a designer.
He was a language.
A discipline.
A dreammaker.
The Man Who Made Elegance Eternal
Born in Voghera, Italy, Valentino Garavani built one of the most influential maisons in history — dressing Hollywood royalty, European nobility, American First Ladies, and generations of women who wanted not simply to look beautiful, but to feel extraordinary.
From his signature Valentino Red to his architectural gowns, romantic silhouettes and couture discipline, his work never chased trends. It defined them.
As the world absorbed the news, tributes poured in — each revealing how deeply Valentino shaped not only fashion, but lives.
Alessandro Michele: “A Central Figure in Italian Cultural History”
The current creative director of Valentino, Alessandro Michele, delivered one of the most profound tributes:
“Valentino Garavani was not only an undisputed protagonist of fashion, but a central figure in Italian cultural history… capable of transforming a craft into a language.”
Michele described Valentino’s belief that elegance is a lifelong discipline, emphasizing how his legacy must live on — not as memory, but as responsibility.
“If to love means to continue another’s discourse, then our task is to keep that discourse alive.”
It was not a goodbye — but a promise.
Pierpaolo Piccioli: “Beauty Is Not Decoration”
Former Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli honored his mentor with deep emotion:
“He taught me that fashion is joy — a serious and demanding joy.”
Piccioli described Valentino’s view of beauty as protection, not excess — something that shelters people from the harshness of the world.
“What he gave us remains — in memory, in love and in the elegance of ideas.”
Donatella Versace: “A True Maestro”
Few tributes felt as personal as Donatella Versace’s.
She recalled how Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti stood by her side following the tragic death of her brother Gianni Versace:
“They gave me unwavering support and friendship at the darkest moment of my life.”
“He will forever have a very special place in my heart.”
Giorgio Armani: “An Undisputed Master of Grace”
The Armani Group released a statement honoring Valentino as:
“An undisputed master of grace and elegance… defined by pure lines, iconic colors and absolute beauty.”
The message reflected the mutual respect between two giants who shaped Italian fashion for more than half a century.
From Paris to Rome: Global Industry Leaders Pay Tribute
Fashion’s most powerful figures echoed the same sentiment — that Valentino belonged not to one house, but to history itself.
- Ralph Lauren remembered him as a romantic whose life was inspired by beauty.
- Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli called him “a true representative of Italian fashion on the global stage.”
- Raf Simons praised his unparalleled refinement.
- Matthieu Blazy (Chanel) compared him to a baroque architect and poet.
- Brunello Cucinelli called him “one of the enduring symbols of 20th-century Italian fashion.”
Designers Who Grew Up Dreaming of Valentino
For many creatives, Valentino wasn’t just inspiration — he was destiny.
Giambattista Valli described feeling “orphaned,” calling Valentino a spiritual parent.
Marco De Vincenzo (Etro) recalled traveling to Rome at age 14 to hand-deliver a letter asking to become his apprentice.
“I never worked for Valentino — but thanks to the power of his name, I never stopped dreaming.”
Fashion Houses, CEOs and Cultural Institutions Respond
Tributes came from across luxury’s highest ranks:
- Bernard Arnault (LVMH) praised Valentino’s couture craftsmanship and cinematic glamour.
- François-Henri Pinault (Kering) called him an undisputed master who inspired generations.
- Gildo Zegna honored his role in strengthening Made in Italy worldwide.
- British Fashion Council recognized his Outstanding Achievement Award legacy.
- Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode emphasized his role in preserving couture savoir-faire.
Valentino, they agreed, helped make fashion truly global.
Hollywood, Models and Muses Remember the Man Behind the Myth
Celebrities who wore Valentino during life’s most meaningful moments shared deeply personal reflections.
- Gwyneth Paltrow remembered his mischievous laugh and endless love of beauty.
- Claudia Schiffer recalled her wedding gown — now framed in her home.
- Cindy Crawford called him a true master.
- Carla Bruni remembered his infinite kindness.
- Colman Domingo honored him as a man who lived to make fantasy real.
Each tribute echoed the same truth: Valentino dressed women with love.
Valentino Red: A Color That Became Immortal
Few designers can claim ownership of a color.
Yet Valentino Red became one of the most recognizable signatures in fashion history — a symbol of passion, power, romance and timeless femininity.
As Mariella Elia of Rinascente said:
“With Valentino’s death, a master disappears — but his red will remain immortal.”
A Life That Transformed Fashion Into Culture
From Rome to Paris, from couture salons to red carpets, Valentino elevated fashion into cultural heritage.
He never chased shock.
He never followed hype.
He believed in discipline, cut, respect for women and devotion to beauty.
As Diane von Furstenberg reflected:
“He loved beauty — in clothes, in homes, in tables, in life.”
The End of an Era — and the Beginning of Eternity
The passing of Valentino Garavani marks the end of one of fashion’s greatest eras.
But his legacy does not end with his final sketch.
It lives on:
- In every atelier he trained
- In every designer he inspired
- In every woman who felt powerful in his creations
- In every shade of red that still stops time
As fashion moves forward at lightning speed, Valentino reminds the world that true elegance never expires.
Rest in peace, Valentino Garavani (1932–2025)
The Emperor of Elegance.
