ROME — Global fashion leaders, Hollywood stars, and members of the public gathered Friday at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome to pay their final respects to legendary designer Valentino Garavani, marking the close of a two-day public viewing and a final tribute to one of Italy’s most influential fashion figures.
The funeral service followed public commemorations held Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino Foundation’s headquarters in the Italian capital, where hundreds of admirers lined up to honor the designer known worldwide for his elegance and signature red gowns.
Among those attending were prominent fashion figures Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and actress Anne Hathaway. Outside the church, fans and supporters gathered, many wearing red or carrying red accessories in a symbolic nod to Valentino’s iconic color.
Valentino, who died Monday at his Rome residence at the age of 93, was celebrated across generations of royalty, first ladies, and celebrities, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jordan’s Queen Rania, and Julia Roberts. He maintained his atelier in Rome throughout his career, while often presenting his collections in Paris, cementing his reputation as a global force in haute couture.
His designs became staples on the world’s most prestigious red carpets, including the Academy Awards. In 2001, Roberts wore a vintage black-and-white Valentino gown when she accepted her Oscar for best actress. Cate Blanchett later chose a butter-yellow, one-shouldered Valentino silk dress for her 2005 best supporting actress win.
In an emotional remembrance, Valentino’s longtime personal and professional partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, reflected on their decades-long collaboration and friendship.
“I want to thank Valentino for teaching me beauty,” Giammetti said, his voice breaking. “It was a beauty that followed us throughout our lives. We met when we were kids, we dreamed of the same things, and we achieved many of them. Our journey will always continue.”
As mourners departed the historic basilica, the ceremony underscored Valentino’s enduring legacy as a designer whose vision shaped modern fashion and whose work continues to define elegance on the world stage.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
