On Friday, Anne Hathaway was among the leading mourners honoring Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani at his funeral held in Rome. The celebrated fashion designer died at the age of 93 on Monday, passing away peacefully at his residence in the Italian capital surrounded by loved ones. The service took place at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, where attendees including leading figures from the fashion industry gathered to pay their respects.
Anne Hathaway, who first met Valentino on the set of her film The Devil Wears Prada—where Valentino made a memorable cameo—arrived early at the ceremony. Joining her were other prominent names such as Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, and Anna Wintour, who collectively represented the global fashion elite coming together to honor the late designer’s legacy.
Public Mourning and Homage to a Fashion Legend
Over the preceding two days, Valentino’s body lay in state at the same Basilica, located in Piazza della Repubblica, allowing hundreds of admirers to pay their respects. Outside the venue, crowds gathered along the streets with signs, white wreaths, and floral tributes, including a striking red rose arrangement symbolizing Valentino’s iconic brand color. Fans of the designer, including Elizabeth Hurley and her son Damian—who sported accents of Valentino red—joined in the public mourning.
This vibrant shade, intimately associated with Valentino, was introduced by the designer in his debut 1959 collection and quickly became a signature hallmark of his work, often referred to as “Valentino red.” Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, the designer clothed luminaries ranging from Princess Diana to Kim Kardashian and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, establishing an enduring standard of elegance and sophistication.
Fashion Industry Icons Attend the Ceremony
The funeral attracted a wide array of notable personalities, illustrating Valentino’s deep influence on fashion and culture. Donatella Versace was seen dressed in a structured black dress with dramatic sleeves and high heels, embodying the solemnity of the occasion. Tom Ford and Anna Wintour were present as well, with Wintour notably shielding her eyes behind her signature sunglasses. The event also saw attendance from creative figures such as Alessandro Michele, the current Creative Director of Valentino, and former company executives including Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino’s longtime business and romantic partner.
Other attendees included figures like Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl, Russian model Natalia Vodianova accompanied by her husband Antoine Arnault, ballet dancer Eleonora Abbagnato who wore the first Valentino dress crafted for the Vienna Opera, and François-Henri Pinault, president of the luxury conglomerate Kering. Model Bianca Brandolini D’Adda was photographed awaiting Valentino’s coffin with many others present to honor the designer’s enduring legacy.
Valentino’s Early Life and Career Milestones
Born in 1932 in Voghera, a small town near Milan, Valentino developed a passion for fashion at a young age. At 17, he relocated to Paris to attend the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, institutions renowned for nurturing haute couture talent. He spent the 1950s apprenticing in various Parisian couture houses before returning to Rome, where he established his own fashion house alongside Giancarlo Giammetti.
The brand quickly gained prominence for its luxurious gowns and impeccable tailoring, drawing a prestigious clientele that included Elizabeth Taylor, one of Valentino’s earliest celebrity patrons. The business expanded beyond clothing, entering the beauty market with a fragrance launched in 1979, followed by a makeup line in 2021. This growth helped cement the house’s place among the world’s foremost luxury brands.
The Enduring Partnership of Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti
Valentino shared a personal and professional partnership with Giancarlo Giammetti, who played a pivotal role in the company’s foundation. Their relationship transitioned from romantic involvement to a close fraternal bond, a connection described by Giammetti as “blood brothers.” In a 2013 interview, Giammetti reflected on their relationship’s evolution:
“I was just 30 when the physical part of our relationship ended, and it was difficult in the beginning, we had to solve problems with jealousy.”
He added,
“But we’re all grown up—very grown up—and we know that time solves every problem.”
Following this transition, the pair maintained a strong working relationship, guiding Valentino’s brand through decades of growth and global recognition until Valentino retired in 2008.
Valentino’s Legacy and Transition in Leadership
Valentino sold his brand in 1998 for approximately $300 million and designed his final collection before retiring. Post-retirement, the label experienced several leadership changes. Alessandra Facchinetti succeeded Valentino as creative director but held the position for just a year before being replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. Chiuri later left for Dior in 2016, leaving Piccioli to continue steering the brand through an innovative period marked by creations like the Rockstud pump and the introduction of his signature shade, Pink PP.
Piccioli departed in 2024, taking a role with Balenciaga and making way for Alessandro Michele, noted for rejuvenating Gucci with his romantic, gender-fluid designs, to lead Valentino. The fashion house’s ownership remains split between Qatar’s Mayhoola, holding a 70% stake, and Kering, which owns 30% with an option for full ownership by 2028 or 2029. Richard Bellini was appointed CEO in September last year, steering the company’s contemporary direction.
Character and Vision of Valentino’s Fashion Philosophy
Valentino was renowned not only for his creations but also for a clear and lasting philosophy on beauty and elegance. As he reflected in his 2023 autobiography, Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic, he prioritized creating beautiful clothing that celebrated and enhanced women’s presence.
“I think I have succeeded because through all these decades I was always concerned about making beautiful clothes,”
he said.
He rejected fleeting trends like grunge or deliberately messy looks, emphasizing that he never wanted women to appear
“destroyed, not well combed or looking strange and stupid.”
Instead, his aim remained constant:
“I want to make a girl who, when she’s dressed and arrives in some place, people turn and say: You look so sensational! This is always what I did, what I really wanted to achieve all the time.”
The Broader Impact of Valentino’s Passing on the Fashion World
Valentino’s death marks the end of a transformative era in fashion, closing the chapter on a designer celebrated for decades of innovation and timeless style. His work bridged classic couture with modern sensibilities, influencing countless designers and dressing some of the most iconic figures in history. The star-studded funeral illuminated the deep respect held by peers and admirers worldwide, highlighting his role as a true visionary.
As the Valentino house continues under new leadership, the foundations laid by Valentino’s passion for craftsmanship and beauty remain the guiding principles. His influence endures in the red carpets, runways, and wardrobes of many, ensuring that his legacy lives on.
