Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer who dressed everyone from Princess Diana to Jackie Kennedy, has died at the age of 93.
The news was announced Monday by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, which shared on social media: “Our founder, Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.”
Garavani founded the luxury fashion house in Rome in 1960, and it quickly became known as a leading “maison de haute couture.”
The designer had a long-held reputation for dressing public figures. He famously designed the wedding gown worn by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at her marriage to business tycoon Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
His other creations included Audrey Hepburn’s white lace gown in How to Steal a Million (1966), Julia Roberts’s Y-neck halter gown, which she wore for her Best Actress Oscar win in 2001, and Cate Blanchett’s pale yellow, one-shoulder silk taffeta gown when she won Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator in 2005.
Follow along for live updates as tributes pour in for the late designer.
Valentino’s relationship with Jackie Kennedy
Garavani and Kennedy first met in Rome in the early 1960s, when the then-First Lady was seeking clothes that were elegant but understated enough for public life.
Garavani’s association with Kennedy helped grow his reputation in the United States, and he spent much of the 1970s based in New York City.
Their bond deepened after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Jackie turned to Valentino for mourning-appropriate clothing. In 1964, she famously wore a black Valentino gown to the White House state dinner honouring French culture.
The most famous chapter came in 1968, when Jackie chose Valentino to design her wedding dress for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis.
Later that year, Garavani dedicated his all-white couture collection to Jackie, which was met with critical acclaim and commercial success.
In a 2009 interview with Vanity Fair, Garavani recalled Kennedy telling him: “I love your work, and I like you very much. You are a fantastic human being. I’m going to take my friendship for you to my grave.”
Tom Murray19 January 2026 18:24
Valentino’s most iconic looks
Tom Murray19 January 2026 18:06
Valentino’s funeral plans revealed
In it’s statement, the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti shared the plans for Valentino’s funeral.
“The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday January 21st and Thursday January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm,” it stated.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”
Tom Murray19 January 2026 17:48
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pays tribute
“Valentino, undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion,” the Italian leader shared on X.
“Today Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. Thank you for everything.”
Tom Murray19 January 2026 17:41
Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93
Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer known mononymously as Valentino, has died. He was 93.
In a statement on social media, Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti said: “Our founder, Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.
“The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday January 21st and Thursday January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”
Tom Murray19 January 2026 17:35
