Valentino, Designer to Hollywood Elite, Passes Away at 93 in Rome
Rome, Italy: Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, renowned for dressing generations of Hollywood stars including Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Julia Roberts, has died at the age of 93.
“Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” his foundation announced on Instagram on Monday, January 19, 2026. Best known simply as Valentino, he was a defining figure in celebrity style for decades. His creations included Sharon Stone’s look at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony and wedding dresses for Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Nicola Peltz.
Valentino’s designs were a fixture at high-profile events such as the Met Gala, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards, bolstered by his close friendships with stars including Anne Hathaway. In 2007, he celebrated his legacy in Rome with a three-day event, shortly before announcing his retirement from the company.
“I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion,” Valentino said at the time, marking the end of an era for one of fashion’s most enduring icons.
