The Fashion World Remembers Valentino Garavani

The passing of Italian couturier Valentino Garavani, known as “The Last Emperor,” who died at age 93, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the fashion industry and beyond.

Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Balenciaga: “So you decided it was time. I can accept your absence, but never your death. Memory, remembrance and love remain with us forever, and I believe this is how we never truly abandon those we love.

For you, beauty was never a luxury nor an ornament: it was a form of defence, a place of safety, the only one possible. A protection, a shield against the world. You were my mentor without ever needing a lectern; you had no need of one. You taught me that fashion is joy, through a profoundly serious kind of joy.

You created an eternity, a place made of dream and beauty."

Alessandro Michele, creative director of Valentino: “Valentino Garavani was not only an undisputed leading figure in fashion, but a central figure in Italian cultural history. A man who expanded the boundaries of what was possible, moving through the world with rare delicacy, quiet rigour and a boundless love for beauty.”

Gwyneth Paltrow, actor and founder of lifestyle brand Goop: “I was so lucky to know and love Valentino — to know the real man, in private. The man who was in love with beauty, his family, his muses, his friends. His dogs, his gardens and a good Hollywood story. I loved him so much. I loved how he always pestered me to ‘at least wear a little mascara’ when I came to dinner. I loved his naughty laugh.

This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Vava."

Donatella Versace, chief brand ambassador and former artistic director of Versace: “Today, we lost a true maestro who will forever be remembered for his art. My thoughts go to Giancarlo who never left his side for all these years.”

Giambattista Valli, founder and creative director of namesake label: “Dearest Valentino, I have always told you how much I dreamed thanks to you in my childhood in Rome… Dalma in red Valentino on the Spanish Steps… and in my teenage dreams, how you made me grow, nurturing in me the obsession with beauty… I repeat it again, now and forever… today I feel a little orphaned.”

Carlo Capasa, chairman of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana: "His fashion spanned eras, cultures, generations and languages, inspiring dreams, visions and a profound sense of excellence. His creations became symbols of style and glamour, worn by the protagonists of history and by central figures of international cultural life. His aesthetic, coherent and rigorous, never chased trends, but was able to unite artisanal heritage and modernity, contributing decisively to the global recognition of Italian fashion. Through his journey, he elevated haute couture to a cultural heritage of our country, leaving a profound legacy for the entire system."

Carla Bruni, singer and fashion model: “I am deeply moved by the passing of the immense Valentino, who leaves behind so much beauty for the world. He was a master, and it was an honour and a great privilege to know him and to walk the runway for him. I will always remember his great kindness and his infinite elegance.”

Armani family and Leo Dell’Orco: “An undisputed master of grace and elegance, for whom Giorgio Armani always held great admiration, Valentino embodied the excellence of couture, the rigour of craftsmanship, and a unique vision of fashion made of pure lines, iconic colours and absolute beauty. His passing leaves an immense void.”

Cindy Crawford, model: “I’m heartbroken to hear of Valentino Garavani’s passing. He was a true master of his craft, and I will always be grateful for the years I had the privilege of working closely with him.”

Suzy Menkes, former International Vogue editor: “A designer who loved his life and his work, ”Valentino" - as he was always known - shared his joy for beauty and for glamour with his devoted clients.

Looking back, Valentino was the last member — and leader — of gorgeous glamour delivered to the upper crust of the fashion world."

Luca de Meo, chief executive of Kering: “An exceptional creator and a major figure of Italian haute couture, he embodied a sense of style that has profoundly shaped our collective imagination.

Valentino elevated elegance into a universal language, blending tradition and audacity with rare precision. His legacy remains one of the strongest expressions of Italian culture.”

Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH: “He was the creator of a refined, radiant and sumptuous fashion, defined by generous draping, which he inseparably wove together with cinema. Trained in Paris in his youth, Valentino was a tireless champion of haute couture craftsmanship and a great friend of France.”