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Fashion World Bids Farewell to “Last Emperor” Valentino Garavani in Rome
ROME – The global fashion community, along with Hollywood luminaries, converged in Rome on Friday to pay their final respects to legendary designer Valentino Garavani, universally known simply as Valentino. The couturier, celebrated as the “Last Emperor of Fashion,” passed away at the age of 93 from natural causes at his Roman residence.
A solemn gathering took place at the central Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, following a two-day public viewing held at the Valentino Foundation’s headquarters. The attendees represented a who’s who of the fashion industry, including design giants Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, alongside former Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Hollywood star Anne Hathaway was also present, among other notable figures.
Hathaway, who famously wore Valentino on her wedding day, expressed her sorrow in an Instagram tribute, stating, “Now he rests forever surrounded by eternal beauty, a most fitting next chapter for the one true Emperor who gifted us all a legacy of unparalleled magnificence… I love you my darling, and I miss you already.”
While many mourners adhered to traditional black attire, some chose to honor the designer’s indelible legacy by wearing red – Valentino’s signature color, which became synonymous with his iconic fashion house. Outside the basilica, devoted fans also gathered to offer their final tributes.
Valentino’s influence stretched across generations and continents, making him a favorite among celebrities and international royalty alike. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a devoted admirer, famously chose a Valentino ensemble for her second wedding to Aristotle Onassis. His eponymous label has graced countless red carpets, from the Academy Awards, where stars like Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett accepted their Oscars in his designs, to the Met Gala, where Pedro Pascal recently turned heads in a striking red-and-black Valentino shorts ensemble.