Valentino Garavani: Redefining Fashion, Red Carpet, and Couture For 60 Years

The fashion world recently mourned the passing of maestro couturier Valentino Garavani, who died at the age of 93. The legendary Italian designer dressed some of the most influential and celebrated figures of our time, from Hollywood starlets, First Lady, to society scions. Among them was the unforgettable velvet-and-lace red gown worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1992, a look that remains one of fashion history’s most enduring images.

Known simply as Valentino, the “emperor of fashion” was an indomitable force in the industry, celebrated for his ability to merge the bold sensuality of Italian style with the refinement of French haute couture. His work stood at the intersection of emotion and precision, defined by dramatic colour, impeccable tailoring, and a deeply romantic sensibility.

Here at MAYFEYR, we look back at the legacy of Valentino Garavani and explore how his vision, craftsmanship, and unmistakable aesthetic shaped the fashion world.

Italian Pride & Valentino Red

Born in Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino Clemente Ludovico began his career at an early age, knowing he wanted to pursue fashion design. He enrolled in fashion drawing at the Santa Marta Institute, followed by studying haute couture at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, the fashion trade association in Paris, all at the tender age of 17, according to the BBC.

Before opening his own fashion house in Italy in 1959, the fashion powerhouse honed his skills and deepened his understanding of the craft during his tenure at Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche.

Valentino is known for his structured discipline in fashion design and his passion for creating romance and beauty. Each of his dresses not only exudes glamour and opulence, but is also meticulously crafted and engineered so that any woman will look anything less than impeccable in a Valentino creation.

His couture gowns feature sharp seams softened with flowing chiffons and breathtaking embroidery, crafted exclusively by Roman and Parisian ateliers. His signature details include bows, ruffles, lace, and rosettes. These elements not only enhanced his designs but became part of his enduring charm.

But perhaps most famously, Valentino is known for introducing a new colour, Rosso Valentino, also known as “Valentino Red”: a distinctive blend of carmine and scarlet with a hint of orange, according to Reuters.

The origin of the colour dates back to Barcelona, when the designer attended an opera and noticed how women dressed in red stood out from the crowd. Following the experience, Valentino cemented the shade as a signature of his brand, a motif that can be traced from his first show in 1969 and to his final bow at the Spring/Summer 2008 Fashion Week in Paris.

Red Carpet Fame & Society Muse

Like other great designers, Valentino built his glittering reputation through dressing some of the world’s most powerful and influential women. From Jackie Kennedy choosing Valentino for her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onassis, to Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren wearing his creations, a Valentino dress became synonymous with prestige and fame.

The designer did not stop there. He went on to create iconic runway looks for 1990s supermodels including Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer, followed by unforgettable red carpet and award ceremony moments. These include Julia Roberts’ iconic black and white Valentino dress she wore when she won her Oscar back in 2001, Anne Hathaway’s striking red gown at the 2011 Academy Awards, and model Kaia Gerber who was spotted in a vintage Valentino gown with a cascading cape from the Spring/Summer 1997 collection at last year’s Vanity Fair Oscars party.

The magic of Valentino’s designs will live on in fashion history, much like the enduring legacy of the designer himself.

“I love beauty,” Valentino once said. “It is not my fault. And I know what women want: they want to be beautiful.”