Key Points
Valentino Garavani, legendary Italian designer, died peacefully at age 93 in Rome.
His designs were favored by icons from Jackie Kennedy to Julia Roberts to Jennifer Lopez.
Gwyneth Paltrow wrote, “This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed.”
The fashion world is mourning the loss of one of its most legendary figures following the passing of Valentino Garavani on Monday, Jan. 19. According to the designer’s personal Instagram and his foundation, the Italian icon died peacefully in his home in Rome, Italy, surrounded by loved ones. He was 93.
Over the course of more than six decades, the Valentino label became synonymous with timeless glamour, dressing Hollywood’s most iconic figures. From former first ladies and award-winning actors to royalty, Valentino’s designs have appealed across generations, and it will continue to remain as one of fashion’s most iconic names.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis played a pivotal role in elevating Valentino’s profile and bringing it to the masses. Following the death of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, she purchased six of his pieces and began wearing them publicly the following year. Among her most memorable looks was a striking green asymmetrical haute couture gown from Valentino’s fall/winter 1967 collection, which she wore during her historic trip to Cambodia in 1967.
Princess Diana
Princess Diana was an inspiring figure in many ways, particularly through her fearless fashion choices. She wore Valentino’s designs on several occasions, among them was this daring suede and lace knee-length dress she wore in 1992 while attending a performance by Paul McCartney.
Diana maintained a strong relationship with the designer, as evidenced by photos showing the two yachting together near Stromboli, a volcanic island off the coast of Italy, per Grazia Magazine.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts chose to wear a black and white Valentino gown from the designer’s 1992 couture collection when she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Erin Brockovich in 2001.
In fact, many of Hollywood’s leading ladies turned to Valentino for life-changing red carpet moments, including Jessica Lange, who wore the designer while winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Tootsie” in 1983.
Cate Blanchett wore a stunning yellow Valentino gown when she nabbed her first Oscar for The Aviator in 2005.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has long embraced Valentino, appearing in countless designs over the course of her career. Notably, she wore a green off-the-shoulder gown at the 2003 Oscars that echoed the iconic look Jackie O wore during her trip to Cambodia.
Most recently, J.Lo wowed in a 1960s-inspired Valentino look while attending the designer’s spring 2024 haute couture collection. The black gown hugged her curves and featured playful cut-out details along her arms.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow has been both a longtime friend and devoted wearer of Valentino’s designs on the red carpet. After the news of his passing, the actress took to Instagram, sharing a photo kissing the designer on the cheek and writing:
“This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Vava 💔”
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Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway has had a long and warm relationship with Valentino, having first met the designer and co-founder Giancarlo Giammetti on the set of 2005’s The Devil Wears Prada.
While attending the 2025 WWD Honors in October 2025, Hathaway wore a striking red Valentino gown, which held very special meaning to her. She shared with WWD, “I am wearing Valentino archival couture, which is an amazing thing to be able to say. And I hope I’m getting this right, but I think this dress was shown in 2005, which is actually the year I met Valentino and Giancarlo. So if that’s true, it has extra significance.”
When asked to name her favorite Valentino look, Hathaway couldn’t just choose one, though her stunning wedding gown, which she wore when marrying her husband, Adam Shulman, in 2012, certainly tops the list.