Thousands Bid Farewell to Fashion Icon Valentino in Rome

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Rome to pay their final respects to Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer, who passed away at the age of 93.

The funeral on Friday took place at Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Michelangelo-designed church built over ancient Roman baths. 

While most attendees wore black, touches of Valentino’s signature red appeared in hats, scarves, and coats, honoring the designer’s iconic color.

Among the high-profile mourners were fashion luminaries Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Valentino’s current creative director Alessandro Michele alongside his predecessor Pierpaolo Piccioli.

Vogue Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and actresses Anne Hathaway and Elizabeth Hurley also attended, as did influencer Olivia Palermo.

The ceremony drew notable figures from the business world, including Valentino CEO Riccardo Bellini, French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, Antoine Arnault, and former Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Rashid Mohamed Rashid.

Over 10,000 people paid their respects during public viewings on Wednesday and Thursday at Piazza Minzoni, near Valentino’s historic fashion house and just steps from Rome’s Spanish Steps. 

The designer is set to be laid to rest in a private ceremony following the funeral.