Gwyneth Paltrow is leading a wave of heartfelt tributes following the death of legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who died on Monday in Rome at the age of 93.
The Oscar-winning actress shared a deeply personal message, remembering not just the iconic designer, but the man she knew privately and loved dearly.
Valentino played a meaningful role in Paltrow’s life, dressing her for big moments including the Met Gala, several award shows and her 2018 wedding to Brad Falchuk.
Reflecting on their bond, Paltrow wrote, “I was lucky enough to know and love Valentino — to know the real man privately.
The man who was in love with beauty, his family, his muses, his friends. His dogs, his gardens and a good Hollywood story. I loved him so much. I loved how he always pestered me to ‘at least wear some mascara’ when I came to dinner. I loved his cheeky laugh.”
She ended her tribute on a poignant note, adding: “This feels like the end of an era. He will be deeply missed by me and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace Vava,” followed by a broken heart emoji.
Supermodel Cindy Crawford also paid tribute to Valentino, sharing photos from her time with him and writing: “I am devastated to hear of the passing of Valentino Garavani. He was a true master of his craft and I will always be grateful for the years I had the privilege of working closely with him.”
Valentino’s passing was confirmed by his foundation via Instagram, saying in part: “Valentino Garavani died today in his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.”
According to the foundation, a funeral will be held on January 23 at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.
Throughout his career, Valentino dressed and worked with countless stars, including Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Barbra Streisand, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Monica Vitti and Jackie Kennedy, for whom he designed her wedding dress for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
Fashion designer Zac Posen paid tribute with a moving message, writing: “Mr. Valentino has left us and with him an era of rare elegance and grace. He believed deeply in glamour, in beauty and above all in the power and love of women. He was a true gentleman and a romantic in every sense of the word… The world is more beautiful because he was in pacell’lega.”
“Riposa i tempo, genio dell’eleganza” is Italian for “Rest in peace, genius of elegance.”
Model Coco Rocha echoed those sentiments, sharing, “Today fashion lost another giant of our industry and a true gentleman. I was lucky to know Valentino not just as the iconic Roman couturier, but as a warm, generous presence who shaped fashion with grace, discipline and beauty.”
As the tributes continue to pour in, it’s clear that Valentino’s influence reached far beyond the runway, leaving a legacy defined by elegance, artistry and deep personal connections.
