The Lowdown: Who Was Valentino Garavani?

Annie Morgan
2026-01-20T11:59:16-05:00

One of the biggest names in fashion from the last century, Valentino Garavani was simply known as Valentino. After passing away at the age of 93, let’s uncover the man behind the luxury brand and how he rose to such success.

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When a significant figure is known by their first name alone, it's clear they have a profound impact on their industry. Case in point: Cher, Madonna, and of course, Valentino. Leaving a real legacy behind, the Italian haute-couture designer passed away in January of 2026.

But who was he, and why was he so beloved?

Who Was Valentino? The Man Behind The Brand

Early Days

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, in the Lombardy region of Italy, about an hour’s drive from Milan’s city centre. His mother named him after the silent movie star Rudolph Valentino.

His interest in fashion came at an early age, and he apprenticed under his aunt and a local designer. To pursue this passion, he moved to Paris at the age of 18 to study at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture.

The fashion enthusiast's early career was impressive, working for big names such as Jean Dessès, Jacques Fath, Guy Laroche, Balenciaga, and Christian Dior. After returning to Rome in the late 1950s, he went on to open his own eponymous fashion house in 1960.

The Brand

Valentino’s fashion house was situated on Via Condotti and was known for being a grand atelier. The house became known for its bold designs, in particular the Rosso Valentino (or Valentino Red)–a vibrant shade of red, which was and still is used as a primary color for many of the brand's designs, especially gowns.

Already gaining popularity in Italy, Valentino’s international acclaim began growing in the early to mid ‘60s. In 1964, Valentino sent a sales representative and a model to Jacqueline Kennedy’s New York apartment to present some of his clothes. She ordered six black-and-white dresses to demonstrate her state of mourning following the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy became a regular client of his, and he designed her wedding dress for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Other celebrity fans of the brand include: Joan Collins, Elizabeth Taylor, Elle Fanning, Zendaya, Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, and many more.

Valentino announced in 2007 that he would be retiring in 2008. His last women’s ready-to-wear show took place in Paris in 2008. He passed away on 19 January 2026.

Who Owns Valentino?

1998: Valentino and Giammetti sold their company to the (now defunct) conglomerate HdP for approx. $300 million

2002: It was sold to the Marzotto Group for $210 million

2007: Permira acquired the company for $3.5 billion

2012: Mayhoola bought the company for $700 million

2023: Kering purchased a 30% stake in the company

Who Is The Creative Director Of Valentino?

Valentino Garavani: 1960-2007

Alessandra Facchinetti: 2007-2008

Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pierpaolo Piccioli: 2008-2016

Pierpaolo Piccioli: 2016-2024

Alessandro Michele: 2024–

Who Was Valentino’s Partner?

He met his longtime partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, in Rome on 31 July 1960. What started off as a friendship turned into both a business partnership and a romantic partnership, which lasted all through his life.

Did Valentino Have Pets?

He was known to love dogs, particularly pugs. The names of his known pet pugs are: Oliver, Maggie, Molly, Margot, Maude, Monty, Milton, and Mary. In the documentary about the designer, Valentino: The Last Emperor, he says 'I don’t care about the collection. My dogs are much more important.'

What Is Valentino Known For?

The namesake brand is known for its stud detailing (Rockstud), VLogo hardware, Rosso Valentino, gowns, heeled pumps and sandals, and its leather goods.

Where To Buy Valentino For Less?

The best way to find Valentino pieces for less is to check out what’s on offer at resale. myGemma is a great place to find designer accessories from a wide range of brands, from Valentino to Hermès.

Every item is authenticated by our experts before being listed on our website, third-party platforms, and our app. In fact, we guarantee authenticity or your money back. That’s how much confidence we have in our authentication process.

Shop Valentino Online

Where To Sell Or Consign Designer Accessories?

myGemma is your one-stop for all things luxury resale. We not only sell designer handbags, jewelry, and other accessories, but we also buy directly from our customers, offer consignment, and have a trade-in program.

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3. Trade In: If you’re looking to upgrade an item, you can trade in your item(s) and get 5-10% extra value in credit towards your next purchase.

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