The fashion designer Valentino Garavani has passed away, leaving behind an undeniable fashion legacy, but which goes far beyond the boundaries of haute couture and is also part of the world of beauty. Story of a creation inspired by a great lady.
A fashion legend left this Monday, January 19, 2026. Valentino Garavani joined the stars in his house in Rome at the age of 93. At the mention of this name, it’s impossible not to think of the majestic Valentino red and the sophistication of delicate lace. A perfect example of classic Hollywood glamour. However, by his own admission, the designer assures “not to be a revolutionary“Its main mission?”Adorning women without pretending to disrupt their wardrobe“, as reported by the newspaper Le Monde. There is another part of the fashion house, and its founder, less mentioned but just as fascinating.
The year is 1978, Italian fashion is beginning to dominate the international scene. Valentino Garavani is convinced: this is the perfect time to launch into the world of haute perfumery. For this project, he called on the prestigious composition house Givaudan, one of the biggest names in perfume creation in the world. Valentino ensured immense technical expertise to compete with French giants like Chanel or Dior. But what makes this fragrance special is the women who inspired it: the actress Elizabeth Taylor and the former first lady, Jackie Kennedy. The couturier wanted to capture the essence of his muses, and the perfume was intended to be an invisible garment. This is how Valentino Classic by Valentino was born.
Scent-wise, the fragrance is a very rich green floral. It opens with notes of basil and lemon, giving way to jasmine, rose, lily of the valley and cyclamen. Finally, there remains a very sensual trail, where we can distinguish musk, oakmoss, amber and sandalwood. If the association may seem dense, it is a juice typical of the era, designed to be recognizable among thousands. The launch of Valentino Classic takes place with great fanfare at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. He invited all the worldly elite of the time and ensured that the information did not go unnoticed: Valentino was now tackling the world of perfume, and the adventure was intended to be luxurious, elegant and made to last over time.
Although this juice no longer exists today, it can still be found on a few websites and is a delight for collectors. In 2015, the fashion house launched Valentino Donna, a reinterpretation of Classic. Also inspired by the “Valentino woman”, we find common bases, notably the floral side thanks to rose and bergamot. If the last emperor of fashion has passed away, he leaves behind masterful dresses and a breath of perfume for eternity.
