As we prepare to say the last goodbyes to the emperor of fashion in Rome, Valentino Garavani’s death invites something increasingly rare in the fashion world: a moment of silence, reflection and perspective.
Not a trend report. Not a red-carpet slideshow. But a pause to ask what fashion truly is – and what beauty really means – especially for women who live real lives, with changing bodies, responsibilities and stories written over time.
Valentino was never interested in dressing noise. He dressed women.
Beauty as harmony, not excess
At a time when fashion often feels loud, aggressive and algorithm-driven, Valentino’s work stands apart for its restraint and humanity. His philosophy was simple yet profound. As he once said:
“Elegance is the balance between proportion, emotion and surprise.”
His designs respected the body rather than trying to conquer it. They didn’t demand a particular size, age or attitude. Instead, they adapted – enhancing posture, movement and confidence. A Valentino dress framed the woman; it never overshadowed her.
For many women, especially mothers navigating bodies that evolve through pregnancy, time and experience, this idea feels quietly revolutionary. Beauty, in Valentino’s world, was not about youth or perfection, but about harmony.
The intelligence of simplicity
Valentino famously believed that fashion should make life easier, not more complicated. One of his most quoted reflections remains strikingly relevant:
“I like things that are well made, well-cut and that make women feel beautiful.”
No manifesto. No gimmicks. Just clarity.
This is why his work endures. In a culture obsessed with novelty, Valentino championed timelessness. His clothes were designed to be worn, remembered, altered, loved again – not discarded after a season.
Valentino Red and emotional dressing
You cannot speak about Valentino without mentioning Valentino Red. Not branding, but instinct. He once explained:
“Red has always been my colour. It’s because it’s a strong colour. It makes women look beautiful.”
That shade became an emotional language – confident but never aggressive, sensual yet refined. It worked across generations and skin tones, proving that true style is inclusive by nature.
Women chose Valentino for life’s most meaningful moments: weddings, state occasions, personal victories and quiet reinventions. His clothes didn’t dress the moment – they honoured it.
Luxury beyond price
At London Mums, we often discuss fashion through a practical lens: comfort, versatility, confidence, value. Valentino reminds us that luxury is not defined by price, but by intention.
Couture thinking can exist in everyday wardrobes: good tailoring, flattering lines, thoughtful fabrics, colours that uplift rather than disguise.
This is where Valentino’s legacy lives on – not in wardrobes filled with designer labels, but in the idea that getting dressed can be an act of self-respect.
A quiet rebellion against fast fashion
Valentino believed in longevity long before sustainability became a hashtag. His clothes were meant to be kept, altered, handed down, remembered. They aged well – just like the women who wore them.
In a world drowning in fast fashion and algorithm-led aesthetics, his work feels like a reminder that beauty doesn’t need to shout to be seen.
What his death leaves us with
Valentino’s passing marks the end of an era, but also offers a gentle challenge: to rethink what we admire, what we buy, and why. Fashion does not have to be expensive to be beautiful. It has to be thoughtful. It has to be kind to the body. It has to create harmony, not anxiety.
That is Valentino’s true legacy – and it’s one that every woman, mother or not, can carry forward every time she gets dressed.
Because real beauty, as Valentino showed us, begins when clothes listen to the woman wearing them.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
