In fashion, few names conjure romance, grandeur and emotional storytelling quite like Valentino. In light of the designer’s passing, we look back at the maison’s most unforgettable dresses, creations that transcended red carpets and runways to become cultural moments in their own right.
From couture drama to quiet elegance, Valentino’s legacy lives in silhouettes sculpted with intention, colour used as language, and craftsmanship that always placed beauty above noise. Whether imagined by founder Valentino Garavani or brought to life in later years by Pierpaolo Piccioli, these dresses remain etched into fashion history.
Below, we revisit some of the most iconic Valentino moments worn by women who understood that fashion is not just worn, it is performed.
Rihanna — Couture as Spectacle
When Rihanna steps onto a red carpet, fashion holds its breath. At the 2023 Met Gala, themed Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, she delivered one of the night’s most theatrical interpretations in a white Valentino Haute Couture gown.
The look bordered on bridal fantasy, constructed from oversized sculptural florals that cascaded into a dramatic hooded cape. It was romance, excess and reverence in equal measure. Styled with dark sunglasses, Rihanna balanced softness with authority, proving once again that Valentino’s couture thrives in moments where drama meets intention.
Lizzo — Maximalism, Reclaimed
Lizzo has always used fashion as a declaration of self. In a vibrant, ruffled one-shoulder Valentino gown, she embodied the house’s love for colour, volume and joy at the 2019 American Music Awards.
The silhouette was unapologetically bold, paired with an ultra-mini Valentino bag, one of only three in existence. It was a reminder that Valentino’s design language has always celebrated presence, allowing the wearer to take up space beautifully and without apology.
Princess Diana — Quiet Power in Velvet
In 1992, Princess Diana stepped out in a black velvet and lace Valentino gown that signalled a new chapter in her public image.
Sensual yet restrained, the dress marked Diana’s evolution from royal ingénue to global style icon. Valentino’s mastery lay in its subtlety, lace tracing the body, velvet absorbing the light. It was a masterclass in elegance as emotional expression.
Halle Berry — Old Hollywood, Reimagined
At the 2002 Golden Globes, Halle Berry arrived in a bronze Valentino creation that felt both statuesque and sensual.
The metallic hue hugged the body with a liquid-like precision, echoing Valentino’s ability to reference Old Hollywood glamour while still feeling undeniably modern. It was a red-carpet moment rooted in confidence, femininity and impeccable craftsmanship.
Anne Hathaway — The Power of Valentino Red
Few colours are as intrinsically linked to a fashion house as Valentino red. When Anne Hathaway wore a strapless crimson Valentino gown to the 2011 Oscars, the effect was instant and unforgettable.
Minimal in construction yet maximal in impact, the dress proved that elegance does not need embellishment. Sometimes, colour alone can carry legacy, drama and timelessness.
Lady Gaga — Couture with an Elegant Twist
At the 2019 Golden Globes, Lady Gaga appeared in a voluminous pastel Valentino gown designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli.
The look signalled a softer chapter for Gaga, one rooted in classic Hollywood romance. Billowing sleeves and a sweeping skirt created a sense of movement and vulnerability, underscoring Piccioli’s talent for infusing couture with emotion and humanity.
Viola Davis — Couture with Flair
At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Viola Davis wore Valentino couture by Pierpaolo Piccioli that radiated strength, elegance and restraint.
The silhouette was powerful yet refined, allowing Davis’s presence to remain the focal point. This was Valentino at its most mature, where craftsmanship supports the wearer rather than overshadows her.
Zendaya — Modern Valentino, Defined
Zendaya has become synonymous with modern Valentino. At the 2022 Oscars, she wore a custom two-piece Valentino look by Pierpaolo Piccioli that redefined red-carpet dressing.
Minimal yet striking, the ensemble spoke to a new era of elegance, one where youth, confidence and couture coexist seamlessly.
In light of the designer’s passing, these dresses stand as more than fashion moments. They are chapters in a story written through silk, velvet, lace and colour. Valentino’s legacy is not only found in archives or ateliers but in the way his creations made women feel seen, powerful and unforgettable.
As fashion continues to evolve, the house of Valentino remains a reminder that true luxury lies in emotion, intention and beauty that endures long after the flashbulbs fade.