Thousands of people and fashion figures gathered in Rome on January 23, 2026, for the funeral of Valentino Garavani, the iconic Italian designer who died at 93 from natural causes. The ceremony at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri featured emotional tributes and speeches from his close ones. The event highlighted his legacy in haute couture and global influence.
Valentino Garavani, born in 1932 in Voghera, Italy, was one of the most influential designers of the 20th and 21st centuries, known for his sophisticated elegance and dressing celebrities and royalty. His death was officially announced on January 23, 2026, via a statement from Maison Valentino, confirming he passed from natural causes at 93. The news sparked immediate reactions on social media and in international media.
Before the funeral, Maison Valentino in Rome opened for a public wake that drew nearly 10,000 people, who left flowers, notes, and mementos. The main boutique in central Rome draped its windows in black, displaying only the designer's famous phrase: "I love beauty. It's not my fault".
The main ceremony took place at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, marked by floral tributes and solemnity. Attendees included Anne Hathaway, Elizabeth Hurley, Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, and Suzy Menkes. Sophia Loren, absent, sent a flower crown with the message: "Always in my heart".
Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino's longtime business partner, shared memories of their professional and personal life, noting how they built a fashion empire. Bruce Hoeksema, Valentino's partner since 1982, delivered an emotional speech: "I don't say goodbye, I say thank you for choosing me and changing me forever".
After the basilica, the coffin was taken to Prima Porta cemetery for a private burial. Italy paid national tributes, with monuments lit in black and gold, and media specials on his career. His legacy endures, inspiring generations in global fashion.
