Fashion icon Valentino Garavani was honored in Rome on January 23, 2024, as thousands gathered to pay their respects. His body was laid in state near the Spanish Steps, where admirers queued for two days to bid farewell to the designer who first made his mark in French haute couture during the 1950s. This was a remarkable achievement at a time when such a feat was considered nearly impossible for an Italian designer.
The memorial service took place at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri on the Piazza della Repubblica. The event was marked by a formal honor guard of carabinieri, whose imposing presence added to the solemnity of the occasion. Their scarlet capes echoed the signature “Fiesta Red” that Valentino famously introduced in a 1959 couture show, a color that became synonymous with his legacy in the fashion industry for decades.
Among the notable attendees was Valentino’s long-time business partner and former life partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. He arrived with Valentino’s current partner, Bruce Hoeksema. Giammetti played a crucial role in navigating the designer through the complexities of the fashion world until Valentino’s retirement in 2008.
Also present was Alessandro Michele, Valentino’s current creative director, who was captured alongside actress Anne Hathaway. Hathaway, who gained fame in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, developed a close friendship with Valentino, who frequently dressed her for red carpet events. Michele is set to showcase Valentino’s latest collection during Paris Haute Couture fashion week from January 26 to 29.
Valentino’s journey in the fashion industry was marked by significant milestones. In 1998, he and Giammetti sold the brand for approximately $300 million to the Italian conglomerate HdP. The company changed hands again in 2002 to the Marzotto Group, which later sold it for an astounding $3.5 billion in 2007. Currently, the brand is jointly owned by Qatari investors and the Kering group, which has an option to acquire full ownership by 2028.
Valentino’s exquisite craftsmanship and keen eye for detail attracted an array of high-profile clients, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Julia Roberts. His commitment to quality was evident in his relationships with his seamstresses, many of whom spent their entire careers in his atelier. The designer often expressed that a good Italian seamstress was essential to his creative process.
Notable figures at the service included Anna Wintour, the influential editor of Vogue, and Donatella Versace, who chose to honor Valentino with understated elegance in a simple, refined dress. Valentino was known for his reserved demeanor, both personally and professionally, which contributed to the broad appeal of his designs.
In his illustrated biography published in 2025, Valentino candidly criticized contemporary fashion trends, stating, “The grunge look, the messy look. I don’t care; I really don’t care. I cannot see women destroyed, not well combed or looking strange and stupid make-up and dresses that make the body look ridiculous.” His commitment to sophisticated aesthetics set him apart in the often chaotic world of fashion.
As the fashion community mourns the loss of this monumental figure, the legacy of Valentino Garavani will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire the industry for years to come.
