Valentino funeral brings Hollywood and fashion figures to Rome
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 24, 2026, 19:58 IST
The fashion industry and film industry professionals from around the world assembled in Rome to pay tribute to designer Valentino Garavani who created modern couture and red carpet fashion during his more than 50-year career.
TL;DR
Valentino Garavani received his final tribute at a public funeral service in Rome which drew important fashion and film industry leaders to the event. The ceremony marked the conclusion of an era which showcased elegant fashion designs and expert couture techniques and red carpet fashion.
Friday brought Rome into focus as the heart of worldwide fashion. Among those present: actors from Hollywood, figures prominent in design circles, followers drawn by admiration, each arriving to pay tribute to Valentino Garavani. Recognition came not through grand titles but familiarity; he was known simply as Valentino. A ceremony open to the public marked his farewell inside Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. This basilica, rooted in the 1500s, stands in central Rome, a structure shaped by Michelangelo’s vision long ago.
Earlier this week marked the passing of Valentino at ninety-two. Since Wednesday, his presence has rested at PM23, an arts and culture hall launched in 2025 by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani. Visitors arrived in large numbers, drawn without pause to honor him there. Their steady flow revealed a reach that stretched far beyond borders, sustained across decades. Recognition did not fade; instead, it gathered weight with time.
Though accessible to anyone, the service attracted figures reflecting Valentino's deep cultural imprint. Present were Anne Hathaway and Olivia Palermo, known for their consistent ties to the label. Dressed entirely in black, Alessandro Michele made his way quietly into the space. In contrast, Donatella Versace stood out in structured dark attire. Arriving together, Pierpaolo Piccioli walked beside François-Henri Pinault, head of Kering, parent company to an array of prominent names in fashion.
Present at the event were fashion reporters and creators, among them Vogue’s top editor Anna Wintour, critic Suzy Menkes, along with Tom Ford from the United States. Coverage in Italy pointed out that the formal cloaks on Carabinieri officers came from Giorgio Armani, a subtle nod to how deeply Valentino was regarded across fashion.
In 1960, the name Valentino emerged through a new atelier dedicated to precision and elegance. Known for an exacting attention to detail, the brand introduced a crimson hue later named after its creator. Recognition grew quietly as prominent figures in cinema selected these garments. Among them: Jessica Lange, whose silhouette stood still beneath structured fabric during her award moment. Archives held by film institutions confirm Sophia Loren wore one such creation when honored on stage. Years passed; Julia Roberts stepped forward under lights clad in similar design. Cate Blanchett followed, draped in the same lineage of color and form, documented by those who track style within cinematic milestones.
In one frequently referenced conversation, Valentino stated plainly: "I understand beauty's appeal to women. Their desire is to feel beautiful." This belief shaped much of his output across years, forming a legacy where grace took precedence over fleeting novelty. During a film released in 2008 about his life’s work, he spoke of what follows him, mentioning a coming deluge, words later seen as hinting at fashion’s accelerating rhythm.
Early on Friday, beyond the basilica doors, people stood in silence while waiting. Many wore red clothing or brought items in that shade, honoring the designer’s known preference. Into the building came white flower arrangements. A person nearby lifted a dark-colored board with words: “Goodbye Valentino. The last emperor of fashion.”
A closing tribute unfolded in Rome, marking the passage of a creative force whose influence permeated global style. The Fondazione Valentino Garavani states that retrospectives and learning programs will uphold the designer’s contributions. When proceedings ended, the city bid goodbye to an individual whose outlook redefined contemporary design while resonating across societies far beyond Italy.
Valentino Garavani received his final tribute at a public funeral service in Rome which drew important fashion and film industry leaders to the event. The ceremony marked the conclusion of an era which showcased elegant fashion designs and expert couture techniques and red carpet fashion.
Friday brought Rome into focus as the heart of worldwide fashion. Among those present: actors from Hollywood, figures prominent in design circles, followers drawn by admiration, each arriving to pay tribute to Valentino Garavani. Recognition came not through grand titles but familiarity; he was known simply as Valentino. A ceremony open to the public marked his farewell inside Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. This basilica, rooted in the 1500s, stands in central Rome, a structure shaped by Michelangelo’s vision long ago.
Earlier this week marked the passing of Valentino at ninety-two. Since Wednesday, his presence has rested at PM23, an arts and culture hall launched in 2025 by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani. Visitors arrived in large numbers, drawn without pause to honor him there. Their steady flow revealed a reach that stretched far beyond borders, sustained across decades. Recognition did not fade; instead, it gathered weight with time.
Though accessible to anyone, the service attracted figures reflecting Valentino's deep cultural imprint. Present were Anne Hathaway and Olivia Palermo, known for their consistent ties to the label. Dressed entirely in black, Alessandro Michele made his way quietly into the space. In contrast, Donatella Versace stood out in structured dark attire. Arriving together, Pierpaolo Piccioli walked beside François-Henri Pinault, head of Kering, parent company to an array of prominent names in fashion.
Present at the event were fashion reporters and creators, among them Vogue’s top editor Anna Wintour, critic Suzy Menkes, along with Tom Ford from the United States. Coverage in Italy pointed out that the formal cloaks on Carabinieri officers came from Giorgio Armani, a subtle nod to how deeply Valentino was regarded across fashion.
In 1960, the name Valentino emerged through a new atelier dedicated to precision and elegance. Known for an exacting attention to detail, the brand introduced a crimson hue later named after its creator. Recognition grew quietly as prominent figures in cinema selected these garments. Among them: Jessica Lange, whose silhouette stood still beneath structured fabric during her award moment. Archives held by film institutions confirm Sophia Loren wore one such creation when honored on stage. Years passed; Julia Roberts stepped forward under lights clad in similar design. Cate Blanchett followed, draped in the same lineage of color and form, documented by those who track style within cinematic milestones.
In one frequently referenced conversation, Valentino stated plainly: "I understand beauty's appeal to women. Their desire is to feel beautiful." This belief shaped much of his output across years, forming a legacy where grace took precedence over fleeting novelty. During a film released in 2008 about his life’s work, he spoke of what follows him, mentioning a coming deluge, words later seen as hinting at fashion’s accelerating rhythm.
Early on Friday, beyond the basilica doors, people stood in silence while waiting. Many wore red clothing or brought items in that shade, honoring the designer’s known preference. Into the building came white flower arrangements. A person nearby lifted a dark-colored board with words: “Goodbye Valentino. The last emperor of fashion.”
A closing tribute unfolded in Rome, marking the passage of a creative force whose influence permeated global style. The Fondazione Valentino Garavani states that retrospectives and learning programs will uphold the designer’s contributions. When proceedings ended, the city bid goodbye to an individual whose outlook redefined contemporary design while resonating across societies far beyond Italy.