Italian designer Valentino Garavani, who boasted celebrity clients ranging from Jackie Onassis and Audrey Hepburn to 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 stated on Instagram on Monday, 19 January, 2026.
Garavani - who was always best known as Valentino - has been a staple of celebrity style for decades, dressing Sharon Stone for the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival in 1995, and creating wedding dresses for Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Nicola Peltz.
His designs were almost guaranteed to be spotted at star-studded events such as the Met Gala, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards, thanks to his close friendships with movie stars such as Anne Hathaway.
In 2007, Valentino celebrated his legacy in Rome with a three-day celebration, which preluded an announcement that he would retire from his company.
"I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion," he said at the time.
Click through the photo gallery above to see some of Valentino's most memorable red carpet moments.
