Valentino Garavani, the man who dressed beauty itself

Some creators design clothes.

Others design eras.

Valentino Garavani belonged to the rare second group. His passing marks the end of a chapter that shaped not only fashion, but the very idea of elegance as a cultural language. He died at the age of 93, in Rome, the city where his vision found form and permanence, leaving behind a legacy that transcends seasons, trends and time.

Valentino understood beauty as discipline, as devotion, as something that demanded precision and reverence. His creations were never loud, never rushed. They moved with intention, carrying a silent authority that only true masters possess. To wear Valentino was never simply to wear a dress, it was to inhabit a state of grace.

From the earliest days of his career, shaped by Parisian ateliers and refined by Italian craftsmanship, Valentino built a universe where femininity was treated with intelligence and respect. He dressed queens, first ladies, actresses and icons, but above all, he dressed women with an understanding of their strength, fragility and presence in the world. His work did not chase attention. It commanded it.

There are few signatures in fashion as instantly recognisable as the legendary Valentino red. More than a colour, it became a symbol of confidence, sensuality and power, a visual shorthand for timeless glamour. It was never about excess. It was about balance, about knowing exactly when to stop.

I had the privilege of attending a Valentino runway presentation in London during the British Fashion Awards, and it remains one of those moments that stay with you forever. Watching his creations move on the runway was not merely a fashion experience, it was an emotional one. Each silhouette carried history, each fabric seemed alive. For someone who admires fashion as an art form, it was a rare gift. A reminder of why beauty, when done with truth, still matters.

Valentino stepped away from the runway years ago, but his influence never left. The house that bears his name continues to evolve, yet the soul he instilled remains present. In an industry often driven by speed and noise, his work stands as proof that refinement, patience and vision are the true marks of luxury.

The cause of his death has not been officially disclosed. What is known is that he passed peacefully, surrounded by those closest to him, in the city that mirrored his own sense of grandeur and restraint. It is a quiet ending for a man whose work spoke louder than words ever could.

Valentino Garavani did not simply create fashion. He created permanence. He showed the world that elegance is not a trend, but a posture. And that true beauty does not ask to be seen, it is recognised.

His presence will be missed.

His vision will never fade.