From the red revolution to elite styles/ The legacy of the fashion 'emperor', Valentino

2026-01-19 21:02:00, Lifestyle CNA

From the red revolution to elite styles/ The legacy of the fashion

The passing of Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who passed away today at the age of 93, has been widely regarded as a great loss for the fashion world.

Valentino's rise in the fashion world was swift and remarkable. He brought a unique voice to Italian couture at a time when Paris dominated the global fashion scene. His designs were defined by luxurious fabrics, impeccable tailoring, and a signature color that became known simply as "Valentino red."

This bright, fiery shade of red became his signature, embodying romance and bold femininity. He dressed royalty, first ladies and cinema icons alike. Jacqueline Kennedy wore his creations throughout her public life, while movie stars from Elizabeth Taylor to Julia Roberts walked red carpets in dresses bearing his imprint.

From the red revolution to elite styles/ The legacy of the fashion

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Valentino expanded his influence with collections that celebrated both luxury and understated grace. His 1968 all-white collection was a landmark in fashion history, earning critical acclaim and cementing his reputation as a designer whose vision transcended trends and time. Celebrities and the social elite flocked to his salon on Via Condotti, a street that would become inseparable from his name and legacy.

From the red revolution to elite styles/ The legacy of the fashion

Valentino also became a symbol of Italian style on the world stage. At a time when fashion sought to define itself beyond geographical boundaries, he championed Italian craftsmanship and sophistication, transforming his atelier into a global beacon of luxury. His influence reached beyond haute couture; his ready-to-wear and wide-ranging lines made the elements of haute couture accessible without compromising artistic integrity.

From the red revolution to elite styles/ The legacy of the fashion

Despite the increasing pace of fashion and the advent of minimalism and avant-garde aesthetics, Valentino remained true to a vision that prioritized beauty, femininity, and the celebration of form. His shows were events in themselves, occasions where elegance was not simply presented, but celebrated.

The designer's philosophy could be distilled into something simple but powerful: clothes should make people feel beautiful. This ethos has underpinned decades of work and endeared him to customers around the world. /CNA