The fashion world is in mourning following the peaceful passing of Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer who defined red-carpet glamour for over six decades. Known mononymously as Valentino, the “Sheik of Chic” passed away on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at the age of 93 in his home in Rome.
The news was confirmed by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, which noted he was surrounded by family. As tributes pour in from the likes of Nicola Peltz Beckham and the industry’s elite, we are looking back at the definitive moments that cemented his status as the preeminent figure in haute couture.
Nicola Peltz in a Custom Valentino Couture Wedding Dress
The passing of Valentino Garavani feels like the end of an era for the “old guard” of fashion, a sentiment echoed loudly by those who wore his most personal creations. Nicola Peltz Beckham, 31, was among the first to pay tribute, sharing heartfelt snaps on her Instagram Stories of the man whose fashion house designed her 2022 wedding gown.
Her dress, a custom Valentino Haute Couture masterpiece, was more than just a garment; it was a focal point of cultural conversation for years. The sleek, square-neck gown with a sprawling train and French lace gloves became a symbol of modern bridal elegance, but its origin story was famously entangled in family drama.
During the wedding planning, rumors swirled regarding a rift between Peltz and her mother-in-law, Victoria Beckham, over the choice of designer. In a bombshell six-page statement released recently by Brooklyn Beckham, he clarified that Victoria had originally agreed to design the dress but pulled out at the “eleventh hour,” leaving Nicola to find a new designer. This led her to Valentino, and the result was nothing short of iconic.
In a moment of immense pressure, Valentino’s fashion house delivered a gown that felt both timeless and personal, underscoring the “creative light” his foundation praised in its announcement. He didn’t just make clothes; he made history. In his Roman home, where he spent his final hours, Valentino lived surrounded by the same opulence he gifted to the world. His departure on Jan. 19 marks a transition for the house he founded in 1960.
While he retired from active design in 2007, his presence was a constant North Star for his successors. The fashion community is now preparing to pay their respects as he lies in state at the foundation’s headquarters in Rome, with a funeral scheduled at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. This moment isn’t just about the loss of a designer; it’s about the loss of a man who believed that every woman deserved to look like a masterpiece.
His “Valentino Red” wasn’t just a color; it was a declaration of confidence that will continue to vibrate through every red carpet for a century to come.
Jennifer Lopez in a Mint Green Vintage Valentino
When you talk about Valentino’s impact on the Oscars, the conversation usually starts and ends with Jennifer Lopez in 2003. At the 75th Academy Awards, Lopez arrived in a mint-green, one-shoulder Valentino gown inspired by a look originally created for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1967. The sari-style draping and intricate embroidery were a departure from the “J.Lo” aesthetic of the time, trading “Jenny from the Block” for “Old Hollywood Royalty.”
This look proved that Valentino had a unique grasp on the lineage of fame, connecting the icons of the 1960s to the superstars of the 21st century. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated class that silenced critics and established Lopez as a fashion chameleon. The history of this dress is often cited by fashion historians as the moment the “vintage revival” truly took hold of the red carpet, as Valentino’s archives became the most sought-after library in the world.
Valentino’s career was built on these kinds of symbiotic relationships. He launched his house in 1960 alongside Giancarlo Giammetti, and by 1962, his debut at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence was a triumphant success. He ranked alongside titans like Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, but Valentino’s niche was always the “extraordinary.”
He was a flamboyant designer who loved the high life, owning villas on the Via Appia Antica and spending months on his yacht, the T.M. Blue. This lifestyle wasn’t just for show; it informed the richness of his fabrics and the complexity of his embroidery. Why does this topic keep resurfacing? Because Valentino’s designs are essentially future-proof. Whether it was dressing Jackie O for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis or Jennifer Lopez for the Oscars, the common thread was a refusal to follow fleeting trends.
He preferred the “retro” flair, a term he wore with pride, ensuring that his pieces from the 60s looked just as relevant in the 2000s. As we look at the current landscape of fast fashion, Valentino’s insistence on “slow” haute couture feels more radical than ever.
Rihanna in a White Camellia Valentino Gown
The 2023 Met Gala saw one of the most extravagant displays of Valentino’s modern power when Rihanna closed the red carpet in a custom white gown. Designed by then-Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli, the look featured a massive cape adorned with 30 oversized silk camellias, made of 500 petals each. It was a tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld, but the execution was pure Valentino.
Rihanna, who was pregnant at the time, navigated the Met steps with the kind of regal poise that only a Valentino silhouette can provide. The look was a masterclass in “unadulterated beauty,” a phrase often used by Valentino himself. When she eventually shed the floral cocoon to reveal a sleek slip dress underneath, it signaled a transition from theatricality to intimacy, a signature move in the Valentino playbook.
Online speculation and fan theories often swirl around these major Met Gala moments, particularly regarding the cost and the hours of labor involved. While unverified rumors suggested the gown cost upwards of seven figures, the confirmed details are just as impressive: the cape alone took hundreds of hours of hand-stitching in the Roman atelier. Rihanna has addressed the scrutiny of her “late” arrivals and bold fashion choices in various interviews, always emphasizing that she treats these moments as art.
The subject of her “maternity style” became a cultural flashpoint, but by choosing Valentino, she aligned herself with a house that has always respected the female form in all its stages. This specific collaboration highlighted a broader industry trend: the “Valentino-fication” of the Met Gala, where the brand began to dominate the steps with bold, monochromatic statements.
From the “Pink PP” era to this bridal-inspired white, Valentino has consistently provided the most talked-about moments of the night.
Viola Davis in a Hot-Pink Feathered Valentino
At the same 2023 Met Gala, Viola Davis brought the “Valentino Red” spirit into a new era with a vibrant hot-pink gown. The dress featured a dramatic neckline adorned with feathers, a look that perfectly captured the “theatrical flair” Valentino Garavani was known for throughout his career.
Davis has previously spoken about her desire to use fashion as a tool for visibility and joy, and this pink ensemble, a signature shade of the house, was a literal spotlight. In an industry that often tries to dim the light of aging actresses, Valentino’s designs do the opposite; they amplify. This brings up the broader cultural conversation about celebrity scrutiny and the aging process.
Valentino never shied away from aging; his house embraced the dignity of a long career, with designs for women like Davis, Jane Fonda, and Meryl Streep. He reflects a deep respect for the wisdom and power of the veteran stars.
Comparable examples can be found in the archives of other greats like Oscar de la Renta, but Valentino’s “spin” was always slightly more flamboyant. The appearance discourse surrounding celebrities today often falls into the trap of medical speculation or body-shaming, but the “Valentino woman” is typically framed through the lens of her presence and her art.
For instance, when Naomi Campbell attended the “Forever – Valentino” exhibition in Doha in 2022, the conversation wasn’t about her age; it was about her status as a living legend in a bright pink empire cape. Similarly, Usher’s appearance at the Valentino Spring/Summer 2024 show in a custom denim look proved that the brand’s appeal spans generations and genres.
Valentino’s legacy is a shield against the toxicity of social media speculation cycles; you don’t look at a Valentino gown and wonder about procedures, you wonder about the craftsmanship.
Halle Berry’s Oscars Look
We cannot talk about Valentino’s history without mentioning Halle Berry’s 1996 Oscars dress. Long before her historic win in Elie Saab, Berry made waves in a lavender Valentino gown that was widely considered the “look of the night.” It was a moment of youthful exuberance that proved Valentino could cater to the rising stars of Hollywood just as easily as the established royalty. The dress featured a sheer bodice and delicate floral straps, a design that was both daring and sophisticated for the mid-90s.
Naomi Campbell in the “Forever – Valentino” Pink Cape
Naomi Campbell’s relationship with Valentino is one of the most enduring in fashion. At the opening of the “Forever – Valentino” exhibition in Doha in late 2022, she wore a striking bright pink empire cape with a decorative headpiece. The look was a direct homage to the house’s heritage of haute couture excellence. Campbell has been a muse for the house for decades, often being the first to model his most daring “Valentino Red” creations.
Usher in Custom Valentino Denim (Spring/Summer 2024)
Proving that Valentino isn’t just for gowns, Usher turned heads at the Valentino Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris. Wearing a custom denim-on-denim look that felt both rugged and incredibly luxurious, he showcased the brand’s ability to evolve under modern creative direction while maintaining the founder’s “flamboyant” spirit. This look signaled a shift toward “street-couture” that has kept the brand relevant for a younger, more diverse audience.
Freen Sarocha in a Custom Met Gala Debut
Thai actress Freen Sarocha made a historic Met Gala debut in 2025, representing Valentino in a custom creation by Alessandro Michele. The look featured a perfectly tailored cream jacket with fur trimmings over a mesh undershirt with floral appliques. As the first Thai actress to attend the event, her presence generated over $13 million in Media Impact Value for the brand, proving that Valentino’s global reach is stronger than ever.
Barry Keoghan in a Theatrical Suit with a Red Sash
Barry Keoghan brought a sense of “theatrical flair” to the 2025 Met Gala in a custom Valentino wool suit. The look featured a dramatic red suede sash and jeweled sleeves, a nod to the opulent, detailed work Valentino himself championed. The “gold V detail” on the buttons was a subtle reminder of the brand’s 1960s roots, blending historical reverence with Keoghan’s modern, edgy persona.
Lana Del Rey in Black Velvet and Brown Satin Haute Couture
Closing out our list is Lana Del Rey at the 2025 Met Gala, wearing an ethereal Valentino spring 2025 couture creation from Alessandro Michele. The black velvet long-sleeved bodice and brown satin ballgown skirt featured giant black feathers and gold alligator hair pins. It was a “vintage-inspired fantasy” that felt like a direct transmission from Valentino Garavani’s own dream journal, dark, romantic, and utterly unforgettable.
Ultimately, Valentino Garavani didn’t just dress the world’s most famous women; he gave them a visual language for their own power. From the quiet sophistication of Jennifer Lopez to the boundary-pushing grandeur of Rihanna, his work was a lifelong love letter to the transformative nature of beauty.
As the “last emperor” of fashion takes his final bow, he leaves behind an empire built not merely on fabric and thread, but on the enduring belief that glamour is a form of armor. While the red carpets of the future will surely miss his physical presence, the vibrant flash of “Valentino Red” will forever serve as a heartbeat for the industry he helped build, ensuring that his legacy remains as timeless as a Roman sunset.
