One of the last of the 20th century's great couturiers, Valentino has despatched his last runway collection and departed to add his signature elegance and panache to the halls of Fabulon.
Probably most remembered for his "Valentino Red" dresses, he nonethless designed frocks in myriad shades and styles - but always, always the height of sophistication. Needless to say, many of the world's most stylish women were his clients, including Princess Grace (Kelly), Vicomtesse Jacqueline de Ribes [who only recently departed at the very end of 2025 - read my tribute to her from 2011 here], Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, the Begum Aga Khan, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Anjelica Huston, Sharon Stone, Joan Collins and Princess Diana.
Indeed, he designed "that frock" worn by Antia Ekberg in La Dolce Vita, the wedding dress Jackie Kennedy wore to marry Aristotle Onassis in 1968, as well as Julia Roberts' 2001 Oscars frock.
Another great loss. There are fewer and fewer designers with a true sense of style around these days...
RIP, Valentino Garavani (11th May 1932 – 19th January 2026)
