Valentino's Final Farewell: A Star-Studded Send-Off for the 'Emperors of Fashion'
Rome, Italy — The fashion world mourned the loss of a legendary designer as peers, supporters, and industry icons gathered for the funeral of the renowned Italian couturier, Valentino Garavani. The ceremony, held at the majestic Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, a 16th-century masterpiece designed by Michelangelo, marked a somber yet glamorous occasion.
Since Wednesday, Valentino's body had been lying in state at PM23, a contemporary arts and culture exhibition space inaugurated by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani in 2025. The venue, adorned with pristine white walls and an extravagant chandelier of white flowers, provided a fitting backdrop for the designer's final resting place. Today, the coffin was solemnly transported to its final destination within the church.
The funeral was open to the public, but it also attracted a who's who of the fashion industry. Industry luminaries and high-profile women, including Anne Hathaway and Olivia Palermo, who frequently graced the red carpet in Valentino's creations, paid their respects. Alessandro Michelle, the current creative director at Valentino, arrived in a sleek, dark ensemble. Pierpaolo Piccioli, who led the Valentino brand from 2008 to 2024, entered the church alongside Francois-Henri Pinault, the chairman of the board of directors at Kering, the parent company of renowned fashion houses like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga.
Among the attendees were notable figures such as Fendi designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, the former creative director at Dior with a brief stint at Valentino. American designer Tom Ford, esteemed British fashion journalist Suzy Menkes, and the iconic Anna Wintour, who arrived in a fur stole and her signature layered necklaces in candy colors, added to the star-studded atmosphere. Even the Carabinieri police capes worn by the guards were designed by Armani, showcasing the designer's influence on every detail.
Early in the morning, a steady procession of white flower wreaths was carried into the basilica. Members of the public lined up outside, some dressed in red or carrying red accessories, paying homage to Valentino's iconic scarlet shade. One devoted fan outside the church held a glittering black poster, reading, 'Goodbye Valentino, the last emperor of fashion.'
The event served as a testament to Valentino's enduring impact on the fashion industry, leaving an indelible mark on both Hollywood and the fashion world.
