The day before, Rome said goodbye to the legendary Valentino Garavani, who passed away on January 19 at the age of 93.

The funeral ceremony was held at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri on Piazza della Repubblica. A moving inscription at the entrance read, «We are losing the most beautiful flower,» while inside the basilica was adorned with wreaths of white roses, and a large portrait of the designer was placed before the altar.

 

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Публикация от Vogue Italia (@vogueitalia)

To honor the founder of the House of Valentino, designers, actors, glossy magazine editors, and close friends of the maestro traveled to Italy. Among them were Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Alessandro Michele, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Maria Grazia Chiuri, François-Henri Pinault, as well as actresses Anne Hathaway with her husband, Elizabeth Hurley with her son, Olivia Palermo, and others, Vanity Fair reports.

 

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Публикация от L’OFFICIEL ITALIA (@lofficielitalia)

Notably, it was not only celebrities who came to pay their respects. According to the Valentino Foundation, around 10,000 people attended the public farewell held over two days at the PM23 exhibition space.

 

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Публикация от Just Jared (@justjared)

Following the requiem mass, a private burial ceremony took place. The couturier’s body was transported to the Flaminio Cemetery, where he was laid to rest in the family chapel.

The news of the death of the founder of the house of Valentino shook the world. The Italian couturier passed away yesterday at the age of 93 at his Roman residence, surrounded by close family.

Over decades of work, Valentino Garavani dressed the most famous women of his time – from Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn to Princess Diana, Sophia Loren, and Julia Roberts. He gave the world the iconic shade «Valentino Red» – a deep red that became a symbol of passion, strength, and absolute elegance. In 2007, after his farewell haute couture show in Paris, the designer officially retired from the fashion industry.

Celebrities around the world are bidding farewell to the cult designer. Social media was instantly flooded with words of grief, gratitude, and personal memories from the stars.

Alessandro Michele, creative director of Valentino, shared a photo with the maestro and admitted: «I am deeply saddened. Today, an extraordinary personality has left us. Valentino Garavani was not only an undisputed hero of fashion, but also a key figure in Italian culture. He could turn craft into language, and gesture into a vision of the world. He taught us that elegance is a discipline to which one remains faithful for a lifetime».

Pierpaolo Piccioli, current director of the house of Balenciaga, also shared heartfelt words: «I bid farewell to a master, mentor, and incredibly generous soul. He taught me that fashion is joy. Serious, demanding joy. And beauty is not an ornament, but a sanctuary».

Maria Grazia Chiuri wrote briefly, yet meaningfully: «I will always carry with me what he taught me».

Donatella Versace recalled a personal moment of support: «Today we lost a true Maestro. I will never forget Valentino. He and Giancarlo were there for me after the death of my brother Gianni. His support will forever remain in my heart».

Condolences were also expressed by Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford, the latter admitting: «This is a tragic day not only for fashion, but for everyone who knew Valentino personally».

Stars from film and the runway also joined in paying tribute. Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Coco Rocha, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, and others shared archival photos with the designer.

Gwyneth Paltrow wrote: «I was fortunate to know the real Valentino – private, in love with beauty, family, friends, and life. This is the end of an era. Rest in peace».

Sarah Jessica Parker also spoke emotionally: «So many memories. So joyful to recall them. And, of course, one wishes there were even more. For your incredible talent, your luxurious generosity, and your love for all things beautiful – we have all been made happier by the great gestures you shared with the world. Farewell, Valentino Garavani».

Coco Rocha emphasized that the industry lost not just a designer, but an era-defining figure: «Today, fashion lost another giant of the industry and a true gentleman. I was fortunate to know Valentino not only as an iconic Roman couturier, but also as a warm and generous person who shaped fashion with grace, discipline, and a love of beauty. His legacy lives on in the restraint, elegance, and conviction that defined both him and his work».

Olivia Palermo and Valentino Garavani

Claudia Schiffer recalled working with the maestro and her Valentino wedding dress: «He is one of those people who become true legends. Valentino will live forever through the brand he created as the embodiment of timeless elegance and glamour. I loved those special moments when I could bring his creations to life on the runway and beyond. One of my favorite projects was the campaign in Rome, where I became Anita Ekberg in the style of La Dolce Vita. A memory I will always cherish. And my Valentino wedding dress, which I keep framed at home, reminds me every day of his tenderness, generosity, kindness, and devotion. That he created my wedding dress is one of the greatest honors of my life».

Cindy Crawford admitted that the news of the designer’s death was a painful blow: «My heart is broken over the news of Valentino Garavani’s passing. He was a true master of his craft, and I will always look back with gratitude on the years I had the honor to work closely with him».

In a sign of respect, Italian Vogue announced a collector’s edition cover rendered in the iconic «Valentino Red». The magazine will be available on January 27.

The farewell ceremony for the maestro will take place in Rome – on Wednesday and Thursday at Piazza Minzianelli.

Photo: depositphotos