Fashion Icons Gather to Honour Late Designer Valentino Garavani in Rome
In a poignant display of respect for the fashion world's lost legend, Donatella Versace and Pier Paolo Piccioli were seen together outside the PM23 foundation in Rome on Thursday. The two prominent figures in Italian fashion paid their respects to the late designer Valentino Garavani, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 93.
A Stylish Tribute in Signature Red
Donatella Versace, the 70-year-old creative force behind the Versace brand, made a deliberate sartorial choice to honour her late colleague. She appeared in a striking bold red suit, consisting of a structured blazer paired with matching flared trousers. The ensemble was completed with red platform heels that added height to her frame, and she carried a coordinating Versace leather handbag.
This colour selection was far from accidental. Versace's red outfit served as a direct homage to Valentino's signature shade, famously known as 'Valentino red'. The late designer first introduced this vibrant hue to the fashion world in 1959 with a poppy-red dress during his debut show, and it became a defining element of his collections throughout his illustrious career.
Companion in Smart Casual Attire
Accompanying Versace was former Valentino creative director Pier Paolo Piccioli, aged 58. Piccioli opted for a smart casual look, wearing a black double-breasted coat layered over a dark grey hoody, with chunky trainers completing his outfit. The two fashion luminaries were photographed linking arms as they arrived at the memorial location.
Valentino's Enduring Legacy
Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, known mononymously throughout the fashion industry simply as Valentino, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy spanning six decades. His clientele included some of the world's most prominent figures, from Princess Diana and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to contemporary celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham.
Renowned for impeccable tailoring, glamorous gowns, and of course his signature red creations, Valentino's influence on fashion remains immeasurable. His foundation confirmed his passing occurred peacefully at his Rome residence, surrounded by loved ones.
Memorial Arrangements and Tributes
The late designer's body will lie in state at the PM23 foundation in Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday and Thursday, with public viewing hours from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica.
Tributes have poured in from across the fashion and entertainment worlds. Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, recalling their friendship and Valentino's persistent encouragement for her to 'at least wear a little mascara' when dining together. Supermodel Helena Christensen also expressed condolences, describing Valentino as a 'beautiful talented man and genius'.
From Humble Beginnings to Fashion Royalty
Born in 1932 in the small town of Voghera south of Milan, Valentino developed a passion for fashion during childhood. At just 17 years old, he moved to Paris to study at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.
After apprenticing with various Parisian couture houses throughout the 1950s, he returned to Rome to establish his own brand alongside business and romantic partner Giancarlo Giammetti. Their luxurious line quickly attracted a loyal clientele, with Elizabeth Taylor becoming one of his first famous customers.
The Valentino brand expanded beyond clothing into the beauty sector, launching its first fragrance in 1979 and introducing a makeup line in 2021. Though Valentino and Giammetti's romantic relationship lasted twelve years, it evolved into what they described as 'fraternal love', with the pair considering themselves 'blood brothers'.
As the fashion world mourns this monumental loss, Thursday's gathering of Versace and Piccioli represents just one of many tributes to a designer whose influence will continue to resonate throughout the industry for generations to come.
