Italian fashion titan Valentino Garavani, globally recognized by his mononym Valentino, has passed away at his Roman residence today, January 19, 2026, at the age of 93. His death was confirmed by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, with tributes pouring in from world leaders and fashion luminaries. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni honored him as an 'undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion,' expressing that 'Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations.' Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Italy, he developed an early passion for fashion, studying at the École des Beaux-Arts and Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris. In 1960, he established his eponymous fashion house in Rome, quickly rising to international prominence for his opulent and elegant designs. Valentino became synonymous with 'Valentino Red,' a distinctive shade of scarlet that became his brand's signature, captivating the fashion world. Throughout his illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Valentino dressed an elite clientele, earning him the title 'couturier to royalty and Hollywood.' His impressive list of clients included iconic figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed her wedding dress to Aristotle Onassis in 1968, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Julia Roberts, and Cate Blanchett. These relationships cemented his status as a designer who understood and delivered what women truly desired: beauty and timeless elegance. He retired from haute couture in 2008, after a final show in Paris that was famously documented in the Oscar-shortlisted film 'Valentino: The Last Emperor.' Even after retirement, his influence on the fashion world remained profound. His legacy is characterized by a relentless pursuit of beauty and a definitive contribution to Italian glamour, setting a benchmark for future generations of designers. Valentino's passing marks the end of an era for haute couture, leaving behind a timeless sartorial heritage that continues to inspire. His body will lie in state in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with a funeral scheduled for Friday, January 23, at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.