The fashion industry has lost another legend, as Valentino Garavani, a true visionary of elegance and luxury, passed away in Rome on Monday evening, aged 93.
He was one of the last remaining great legacy designers who redefined the meaning of fashion throughout the backend of the 20th century, as he hailed from the same generation as the likes of Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld.
It was, to put it simply, an iconic career, one that spanned over three decades and deeply influenced the modern fashion industry that we know today. With a deep love for fashion that developed throughout his childhood, Valentino left Italy at the tender age of 17 to receive formal training in Paris – the home of Haute Couture. Throughout the 1950s he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and Chambre Syndicale, before returning to his homeland in 1959 and opening his eponymous fashion house.
It would only be two years later that Valentino would make his international debut at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence – the then epicentre of Italian fashion, being the birth place of brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. This catapulted his young label to fame, as he quickly gained recognition from icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – who would later become a close friend and muse to the designer.
Cemented on the global stage as a master of haute couture, the brand went from strength to strength in the coming decades, whilst maintaining a well curated image of opulence and class. Valentino would go on to dress the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Sofia Loren, whilst picking up incredible accolades such as the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1967 – one of fashion’s greatest honours.
Meanwhile, the brand’s signature colour, the beautiful Valentino Red – which was actually debuted in a tulle gown in 1959 – became a renowned status symbol, even being officially recognised by Pantone as a unique shade. This hue became a considerable part of the brand’s identity – being synonymous with romance and glamour – and has been featured in every show since.
In 2007, following a fairy tale career, Valentino announced his retirement. His annual haute couture show, held in Rome in 2008, acted as a celebration in his honour. That same year, in a documentary John Fairchild of Women’s Wear Daily famously dubbed Valentino as “The Last Emperor” of fashion, and an emperor he was.
There are few gurus in fashion that match what Valentino Garavani achieved in his lifetime, and it quite simply goes without saying that his legacy is one that shall never fade.
