Stars Pay Final Tribute to Valentino Garavani as Rome Welcomes the Legendary Designer’s Legacy
Friday, January 23, 2026 — Rome
Anne Hathaway and Donatella Versace were among the stars who attended the funeral Friday of legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani, with some mourners wearing touches of his trademark red in tribute.
Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs was decorated with wreaths of white roses while a large photo of the designer, who died on Monday at age 93, was placed in front of the altar.
Throughout a long career, Valentino dressed some of the world’s most elegant women, including Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Hollywood actress Hathaway, who attended the funeral with her husband Adam Shulman, paid tribute to a “titan of a designer” who was also a friend with whom she shared dancing and karaoke.
“He made my world so much brighter, grander and more delightful than I could have ever understood it to be,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Now he rests forever surrounded by eternal beauty, a most fitting next chapter for the one true Emperor who gifted us all a legacy of unparalleled magnificence … I love you my darling, and I miss you already,” she added.
Designers Versace, Tom Ford, Alessandro Michele — the creative director of Valentino — Balenciaga’s Pier Paolo Piccioli, Anna Fendi, and Brunello Cucinelli were among the guests, as was fashion editor Anna Wintour.
Led by Valentino’s partner Giancarlo Giammetti, most mourners wore black. However, several attendees wore red hats, scarves, or shawls in tribute to the designer’s signature color.
Valentino died on Monday at his home in Rome, and his coffin was displayed publicly at his foundation in the city center from Wednesday through Thursday.
“We’ll never find the class that Valentino had again,” said Francesco Sangiovanni, 81, a member of the public who came to pay his respects.
“He conquered the world with his refinement … and he enhanced Italy because he brought Italy to the world. The greatest people wore Valentino,” Sangiovanni added.
