Two small figures quietly drew attention amid the solemn farewell. As mourners filed past Fashion Legend Valentino Garavani’s coffin in Rome, his beloved pugs sat nearby, their presence adding an intimate, almost home-like touch to the public ceremony honoring the legendary designer’s life.
A Deeply Personal Moment at Valentino’s Public Farewell
Among the most touching moments was the sight of Valentino’s pugs near the coffin. One mourner was seen holding one of the dogs, underscoring how closely they were woven into his daily life.
The loyal companions offered a deeply personal touch to a public farewell for the legendary designer, who died at 93.
Their presence reflected the private life behind one of fashion’s most celebrated icons.
GettyValentino entered the fashion world at just 17 and went on to dress icons including Elizabeth Taylor, Elle MacPherson, and Princess Diana. As per AnOther magazine, beyond couture, one constant defined his life: dogs.
He developed a love for them at age five, especially strays, and rescued many over the years.
His canine family eventually included nine dogs, among them six pugs named Monty, Milton, Maude, Margot, Maggie, and Molly.
His family also included two poodles from his late sister and a rescued shepherd mix named Stella.
Valentino treated his dogs like children, balancing discipline and affection, and even named his successful 1980s youth fashion line “Oliver” after a beloved pug.
Despite this devotion, he firmly rejected dressing dogs as fashion accessories, insisting they be treated with dignity, not spectacle.
Rome Pays Its Respects to a Fashion Legend
Valentino’s death was announced on 19 January through posts on his personal Instagram account and on his foundation’s account.
“Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” the statement read.
Getty“The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday, January 21st, and Thursday, January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”
GettyABC reported that hundreds of mourners gathered in the days that followed, lining up to pay their respects as his coffin was placed on public display.
A Quiet, Intimate Setting at the Foundation
GettyInside the Valentino Foundation near Piazza Mignanelli, the farewell was simple and restrained. White roses and lilies lined the path leading into a small room where the designer’s wooden coffin rested. Loved ones sat nearby in silence.
“It’s a perfect, simple, sober homage” to a gifted artist and a “courteous, splendidly refined” man, said Giulia Carraro, 75, a former personal assistant who worked closely with him, as reported by AFP.
The closed coffin was topped with a single red rose, a subtle reminder of the color that became synonymous with Valentino’s legacy.
Loved Ones Remember the Man Behind the Brand
Seated beside the coffin was Valentino’s longtime partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, whose business leadership helped turn the fashion house into a global force.
The designer was “an extremely professional person, very meticulous in his work,” Giammetti told reporters, as per NBC, while also calling him “a dreamer.”
“I met him when he was 26, so he was still young enough to dream, and we tried to let him do so until the very end,” he said.
Valentino founded his fashion house in 1960 and went on to dress some of the world’s most famous women, including Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor, and Nancy Reagan. Creative director Alessandro Michele also attended, having previously praised the designer’s “rare sensibility.”
Nearby, the windows of the Valentino boutique were covered with blackout blinds bearing his motto in white letters: “I love beauty. It’s not my fault.”
GettyAs Rome said goodbye, the quiet presence of Valentino’s beloved pugs became a lasting image of the farewell. It was a reminder that behind the legacy of couture and color was a man defined by loyalty, intimacy, and love to the very end.
