Image: Monkey J. Puffy X@Juampi_juampi_
By Open Chronicle News Desk
The fashion world is in mourning today following the announcement of the death of Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer who defined global elegance for over half a century. Valentino, known mononymously by his first name, passed away at his residence in Rome on Monday, January 19, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 93 years old.
The news was confirmed through a statement released by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation. “The Emperor is no more,” noted Italian publications, paying tribute to a man who transformed high fashion and built one of the most recognizable luxury empires in history.
Born in Voghera in 1932, Valentino’s journey began with a move to Paris as a teenager to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. After returning to Rome in 1959, he founded his eponymous fashion house in 1960 alongside his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti. He quickly rose to international prominence, becoming the preferred couturier for Hollywood royalty, first ladies, and global icons.
Valentino was perhaps best known for his signature “Valentino Red,” a vibrant, fiery hue that became synonymous with his brand and his unwavering commitment to feminine beauty. His illustrious client list included figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed her iconic wedding dress to Aristotle Onassis, as well as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Princess Diana.
Even after his formal retirement in 2008, Valentino remained an eternal symbol of style and Italian craftsmanship. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni describing him as an “undisputed master of style and elegance.”
The designer will lie in state at the foundation’s headquarters on Piazza Mignanelli this Wednesday and Thursday. His funeral service is scheduled for Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Rome.