The world of fashion lost one of its brightest stars. Valentino Garavani took his final breath on January 19. He died peacefully at his home in Rome. Natural causes claimed the legendary designer at the age of 93.
Building a Fashion Empire
Valentino started his journey in 1959. He founded his fashion house in Rome with a small atelier. That humble beginning blossomed into a worldwide luxury powerhouse. The brand grew to include many product lines over the decades.
From the late 1960s through the 1980s, the company expanded significantly. It moved into ready-to-wear collections and licensing agreements. Valentino introduced his first perfume in 1978. He then licensed his famous name for handbags, shoes, eyewear, luggage, and various accessories.
A Legacy of Elegance and Red
Valentino's designs always emphasized timeless elegance. He avoided chasing fast-moving trends. The brand became famous for its exquisite tailoring and romantic silhouettes. Perhaps most iconic is the vibrant "Valentino red" that became his signature color.
His client list read like a who's who of global celebrities. He dressed royalty, political figures, and Hollywood's biggest stars. Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway all wore his creations. Valentino played a crucial role in establishing Italian fashion on the international stage.
The Partnership That Built an Empire
Giancarlo Giammetti proved instrumental to Valentino's success. He managed the business side of their partnership. Together, they constructed a formidable fashion empire over six decades. Their collaboration helped secure Italy's position among the world's luxury capitals.
Though their romantic relationship ended in the early 1970s, they remained inseparable. They continued as close life partners and business collaborators for more than sixty years.
Personal Life and Later Relationships
Valentino later had relationships with Bruce Hoeksema and actress Marilù Tolo. He was also famously devoted to his dogs, especially his pugs. The animals frequently traveled with him and became part of his public persona.
Accolades and Cultural Impact
Valentino received numerous international honors during his lifetime. France awarded him the Legion of Honor. He also earned the Medal of the City of Paris. In his home country, many considered him a cultural symbol of immense importance.
Some observers even suggested his influence in Italy was second only to the Pope. He was widely regarded as one of the last great masters of twentieth-century haute couture.
A Life of Extraordinary Luxury
Valentino lived surrounded by beauty and opulence. "I know what women want," he once remarked. "They want to be beautiful." He certainly applied that philosophy to his own life, filling it with rare and carefully selected luxuries.
He and Giammetti owned an impressive portfolio of properties. Their homes spanned Rome, London, Paris, Manhattan, and Switzerland. Valentino's famous chateau near Paris featured a garden with over a million roses.
His possessions included the TM Blue One, a 152-foot superyacht valued at approximately $15 million. Perini Navi designed the vessel, and Valentino personally styled its interiors. For air travel, he used a Bombardier Global 6000 private jet.
Art and Assets
Valentino assembled a remarkable art collection worth hundreds of millions of dollars. His residences displayed works by Picasso, Rothko, Bacon, Warhol, Basquiat, Hockney, and other masters. He even slept on custom Roman-made bedsheets that were ironed twice daily.
The fashion house changed ownership several times in later years. In 1998, the company sold for about $300 million. It passed through multiple global owners afterward.
Celebrity Net Worth reported his estimated net worth at $1.5 billion at the time of his death. Valentino Garavani's passing marks the end of an era in fashion history. His legacy of elegance, craftsmanship, and iconic red will continue to inspire generations.
