Donatella Versace paid tribute to the late fashion legend Valentino Garavani with a striking sartorial choice in Rome. The designer honored her peer by wearing a vibrant red suit—a bold nod to Valentino’s iconic signature hue—paired with matching platform heels and oversized black sunglasses. She was accompanied by Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino’s former creative director, who dressed in an all-black ensemble with sneakers.
The vivid red shade directly references Valentino’s famed “Valentino red,” a color officially recognized by Pantone. Garavani first showcased the dramatic tone in his debut 1959 collection, drawing inspiration from the costumes in Bizet’s opera Carmen and the vivid reds he observed in audiences during his youth. This iconic color became inseparable from his brand’s identity.
Valentino Garavani passed away at age 93 in his Rome residence on Monday, with tributes pouring in from across the fashion world. He will lie in state before his funeral, scheduled for the following day. Versace, a longtime friend of both Garavani and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti, shared a heartfelt message honoring the designer as a “true maestro” whose legacy would endure.