In the heart of Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was filled with figures from fashion, media and culture, all there to bid farewell to Italian designer Valentino Garavani. His influence, felt across generations of designers and collaborators, was reflected in every attentive moment of the service.
Valentino, who died on January 19 at the age of 93, had a career that spanned decades and continents. The service, held at 11 am near Piazza della Repubblica, brought together figures connected to his work at different stages of his career, highlighting a designer whose impact continued to resonate even after his retirement.

Anne Hathaway – Getty Images
Inside the basilica, the setting was restrained. The coffin was surrounded by white flowers, and music selections such as Mozart’s Lacrimosa and traditional Ave Maria compositions added solemnity without dominating the service.
Attendees included Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway and her husband Adam Shulman, fashion figures Donatella Versace and Tom Ford, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Also present were Valentino creative director Alessandro Michele and former creative directors Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri, alongside other designers and cultural names who had worked with or admired the designer over the years.

Vernon Bruce Hoeksema – Getty Images
Many had worked with Valentino on couture commissions, fashion editorials or other projects, and the presence of multiple generations reflected the reach of his work.
During the liturgy, Vernon Bruce Hoeksema, Valentino’s longtime partner, addressed the congregation with a brief message of thanks to those who had shared in the designer’s life and work. The priest noted Valentino’s contribution to fashion as an art form, highlighting the enduring influence of his designs.

Photo Credit – Instagram
Elements of Valentino’s approach to design continue to shape the fashion industry. His attention to detail, signature tones and methodical approach to luxury fashion remain reference points for designers and fashion houses today. Over his career, he dressed royalty, heads of state and leading figures from film and culture, while maintaining a clear identity for his fashion house across decades.

Photo Credit – Instagram
After the service, Valentino’s coffin was escorted to the Flaminio Cemetery in Rome. The Valentino house has confirmed that its Spring/Summer 2026 collection will proceed in Paris, signalling continuity for the brand following his passing.
The farewell in Rome was measured and formal, giving attendees an opportunity to reflect on a career that spanned more than fifty years and continues to influence fashion and culture today.
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