Gwyneth Paltrow is mourning the loss of one of the most important people in her life, sharing an emotional tribute after the death of legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani.
The couturier passed away peacefully at his home in Rome on Monday at the age of 93, marking the end of a remarkable era in global fashion.
Gwyneth’s Personal Farewell
Taking to Instagram, the Oscar-winning actress reflected on the deep, private bond she shared with Valentino — a friendship that went far beyond red carpets and couture fittings.
She spoke warmly of the man she knew away from the spotlight: someone devoted to beauty, loyal to his family and friends, endlessly entertained by Hollywood gossip, and utterly charmed by his dogs and gardens.
She recalled his playful insistence that she at least wear “a little mascara” to dinner, and his unmistakably mischievous laugh.
For Paltrow, his passing feels seismic. “This feels like the end of an era,” she wrote, adding that he will be deeply missed by everyone who loved him.
A Designer Woven Into Her Life
Valentino wasn’t just a favorite designer for Paltrow — he was part of her life’s most meaningful moments.
He dressed her for countless major events, including the Met Gala and high-profile awards ceremonies.
One of his most personal creations for her was the white lace gown she wore when she married producer Brad Falchuk in 2018.
She also famously stepped out in one of his pink gowns at the 2013 Met Gala, cementing yet another iconic fashion moment in their shared history.
Off-duty, the actress often vacationed with Valentino aboard his yacht, surrounded by his close-knit circle of friends.
Rome Prepares to Say Goodbye
Valentino’s foundation confirmed his death and paid tribute to him as a guiding light of creativity and vision.
His body will lie in repose at the foundation’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with a funeral scheduled for Friday at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Piazza della Repubblica.
A Name That Needed No Surname
Known worldwide simply as “Valentino,” the designer was adored by royalty, first ladies, and Hollywood royalty alike.
His client list spanned generations, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan.
Many swore he had an unmatched ability to make women feel both powerful and beautiful.
He once summed up his philosophy simply: women want to be beautiful — and he made it his life’s mission to ensure they were.
Master of the Red Carpet
Never one for shock tactics or gimmicks, Valentino built his reputation on elegance and precision.
Over nearly five decades, he committed remarkably few fashion missteps.
His refined, glamorous gowns made him the undisputed king of the red carpet.
Some of the most memorable Oscar looks of all time bear his signature, including Julia Roberts’ vintage black-and-white gown when she won Best Actress in 2001, and Cate Blanchett’s butter-yellow, one-shouldered silk dress at the 2004 Academy Awards.
Dressing History’s Most Famous Women
Valentino’s influence extended far beyond Hollywood.
He designed the lace wedding dress Jackie Kennedy wore when she married Aristotle Onassis in 1968, and the two remained close friends for decades.
For a time, the former First Lady wore almost nothing but Valentino.
Princess Diana was also a devoted fan, frequently appearing in his richly detailed gowns that balanced romance with quiet authority.
The Look That Defined a Legacy
While “Valentino red” became his most famous calling card, his aesthetic was built on far more than color alone.
Bows, ruffles, lace, and intricate embroidery became hallmarks of his work — feminine details that enhanced, rather than overwhelmed, the women who wore them.
Living Like His Clients
Impeccably dressed and perpetually sun-kissed, Valentino shared the jet-set lifestyle of his elite clientele.
His possessions included a 152-foot yacht, an enviable art collection featuring Picasso and Miró, and a 17th-century château near Paris, said to be surrounded by more than a million roses.
Alongside his longtime partner and business collaborator Giancarlo Giammetti, he divided his time between homes in Rome, New York, London, Capri, Gstaad, and Paris — always traveling with their beloved pugs.
A Traditionalist at Heart
Valentino was unapologetically old-school in his views on glamour.
In interviews, he lamented casual dressing and believed women should always present themselves at their very best.
For him, elegance was not optional — it was a form of respect for oneself and others.
From Movie Dreams to Fashion Royalty
Born in Voghera in northern Italy on May 11, 1932, Valentino credited his childhood love of cinema for igniting his obsession with beauty and perfection.
After studying fashion in Milan and Paris, he honed his craft under designers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before launching his own label in Rome in 1959.
Giammetti was there from the beginning, managing the business side while Valentino charmed clients and built relationships with the world’s rich and famous.
Building — and Selling — an Empire
Despite early financial struggles caused by his lavish tastes, the brand soon flourished.
Early supporters included Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Vogue legend Diana Vreeland.
The house of Valentino expanded into ready-to-wear, menswear, and accessories.
In 1998, Valentino and Giammetti sold the company for an estimated $300 million, though Valentino remained creatively involved for another decade.
The Final Chapters of the Fashion House
Valentino retired in 2008 after celebrating his 45th anniversary with a three-day extravaganza in Rome.
The brand went through several creative shifts afterward, eventually entering a new golden age under Pierpaolo Piccioli, whose tenure ended in 2024.
Alessandro Michele has since taken the reins.
Today, the brand is majority-owned by Qatar’s Mayhoola, with Kering holding a significant minority stake and an option to take full control later this decade.
Preserving the Legacy
Valentino’s work has been honored through major retrospectives, a critically acclaimed documentary titled Valentino:
The Last Emperor, and even a virtual museum launched in 2011 that allows fans to explore hundreds of his most iconic designs.
Though the man himself is gone, his vision, elegance, and unmistakable sense of beauty live on — in fashion history, and in the hearts of those, like Gwyneth Paltrow, who knew and loved him beyond the spotlight.
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