ROME — Icons of fashion and Hollywood gathered in Rome on Friday to pay their final respects to Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer widely celebrated as the “Last Emperor of Fashion.” Valentino, who passed away at 93 of natural causes, left behind a legacy that reshaped haute couture and captivated generations of celebrities and royalty.
The funeral took place at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, following a two-day public viewing at the Valentino Foundation headquarters. Attendees included fashion luminaries such as Tom Ford, Donatella Versace, and former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, alongside Hollywood stars including Anne Hathaway and Elizabeth Hurley.
Hathaway, who famously wore Valentino on her wedding day, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media: “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.”
Many mourners honored Valentino’s signature style by incorporating red—the hallmark of his fashion house—into their attire, while others opted for traditional black. Fans also gathered outside the basilica to pay homage to the designer whose creations adorned red carpets, Met Galas, and royal events around the world.
Valentino’s influence stretched across decades, dressing legends such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis and shaping modern red carpet fashion. His couture collections were embraced by Hollywood royalty including Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, and Pedro Pascal, cementing his brand as a symbol of elegance, sophistication, and timeless glamour.
The designer’s passing marks the end of an era in fashion, but his creations and the aesthetic he championed continue to inspire designers, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts globally.
