Fashion Stars Gather in Rome for Valentino Garavani Funeral

Hundreds of people from the fashion world and the public filled the streets around Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs this morning for the funeral of Valentino Garavani. The 93-year-old designer died on Monday at his home in the city. Stars like Anne Hathaway, Elizabeth Hurley, Tom Ford, Anna Wintour, and Donatella Versace attended the service. The event marked a final goodbye to a man who shaped high fashion for decades.

Background

Valentino Garavani built his name in the fashion industry starting in the 1960s. He opened his first shop in Rome and soon showed collections in Paris. His designs became known for bright colors, especially red, which he called his signature shade. Women around the world wore his gowns to big events. Royals, actors, and first ladies all turned to him for clothes that made them stand out.

He kept his main workshop in Rome even as his business grew. Valentino ran the company with his close partner Giancarlo Giammetti for many years. They sold the brand in 2008 but stayed involved in some ways. The designer stepped back from daily work but still followed fashion closely. He lived quietly in Rome in his later years, away from the spotlight.

People started paying respects right after his death. For two days, Wednesday and Thursday, his body lay in public view at the Valentino foundation's building in central Rome. Lines formed as fans and friends came to say goodbye. Many left flowers and notes. The funeral today brought everyone together one last time at the grand basilica near the city center.

Valentino appeared in films too. In 2006, he played himself in a movie about the fashion world. His work showed up on red carpets at the Oscars. Julia Roberts wore one of his dresses when she won best actress in 2001. Cate Blanchett had on a yellow silk gown from him in 2005 for her award. These moments helped make his name even bigger.

Key Details

The funeral took place inside the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, a large church built long ago on the site of old Roman baths. Crowds gathered outside early in the morning. Many wore red outfits to honor Valentino's love for the color. Police kept the area orderly as cars pulled up with famous guests.

Anne Hathaway arrived in a simple black dress. She had worn Valentino designs before at events. Elizabeth Hurley stepped out looking sharp in a tailored coat. Tom Ford, another top designer, came with a quiet nod to the crowd. Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue, sat near the front. Donatella Versace joined her, representing her own fashion house.

Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino's longtime friend and business partner, waited for the coffin to arrive. He stood outside the basilica with others from the designer's inner circle. The service stayed private for family and close friends. A choir sang as the coffin entered the church.

After the ceremony, the coffin left for Flaminio Cemetery on the edge of Rome. People lined the streets to watch the procession go by. Some clapped softly. Others held photos of Valentino's famous red gowns. The event lasted about two hours inside the basilica.

Attendees and Tributes

More names from fashion showed up. People spotted models who walked in his shows years ago. Actors and producers mixed with magazine editors. The public joined in too. Regular Romans came to honor a local hero who never left the city. One woman outside said she owned three Valentino pieces from the 1980s.

"Valentino made women feel like queens. His red will live forever." – A fan waiting outside the basilica

Flowers covered the steps of the church. Red roses stood out most. Flags flew at half staff on some buildings nearby. News crews from around the world covered the day. It felt like the end of something big for Italy's fashion scene.

What This Means

Valentino's death closes a chapter for old-school couture. Younger designers now lead the way, but his style set standards that still matter. Houses like his pushed Italian fashion to the top globally. Rome loses one of its biggest names, but his foundation will keep his work alive.

The funeral shows how much he meant to people. Stars flew in from New York and London. Crowds proved his pull went beyond elites. Fashion weeks might honor him soon with special shows. Museums already plan exhibits of his dresses.

His brand keeps going under new owners. They make ready-to-wear clothes and accessories. Sales stay strong thanks to his name. Friends say he wanted the company to thrive after him. Today's event reminds everyone of that lasting mark.

Rome's fashion community feels the gap. Other designers like Versace and Armani built on what Valentino started. His choice to stay based in Italy helped the city become a style capital. The basilica service linked his life to Rome's history.

People will talk about his life for weeks. Stories from his early days in Spain and France will come out again. His partnerships with Giammetti shaped not just clothes but a way of living. The red legacy points to joy and boldness in dress.

Burial at Flaminio Cemetery puts him near other famous Italians. Visitors can go there to remember him. The fashion world moves fast, but moments like this slow it down. It gives time to think about what one person can build over a lifetime.