How Iran’s last empress left Tehran in an iconic Valentino coat that ultimately made history

Valentino Garavani’s recent demise has brought conversations that were hidden for years and decades into the open. He was one of the fashion visionaries who shaped style history and reopened discussions previously unknown to the world. While we are aware of his red carpet moments and runway aura, there were times when he was linked to royal weddings and controversies, too.On January 16, 1979, one such moment took place. The situation was remorseful, but the people and the vision made it memorable. On this very day, Iran stood on the brink of revolution, and the last empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi, decided to flee Tehran alongside her husband.But she was one of ‘Val’s gals’ and was an ardent fan of Valentino’s collection. During the movement, the royalty was spotted wearing an exquisite Valentino coat with a matching fur hat, which captivated the media at the time. She wore a sable-coloured Valentino coat and held her head up high, even on a terrible day.Basant Panchami 2026 outfit ideas: Bollywood celebrities prove yellow is still the power colourShe was spotted in Valentino designs and has even attended many of his fashion shows, including his 2016 retirement show and the 2008 ‘Valentino in Rome’ gala. She was a loyal supporter of the man for decades and often spoke about their relationship, which was more than just business - it was a beautiful friendship.Who is Farah Pahlavi?Farah Diba was born in Tehran in 1938. In 1967, she became the Empress of Iran after marrying Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. She became the first Iranian woman to be crowned empress and brought in a cultural force of her own. She played an important role in positioning Iran as a modern nation under the Shah’s reign, promoting education, arts, and architecture.Deepika Padukone did it first: Maryam Nawaz’s daughter’s silver wedding saree sparks a fashion déjà vuBut this carefully constructed life fell apart in 1979 as protests against the monarchy intensified in Iran, forcing them to leave the country during the revolution. This long and painful exile took them across multiple nations, where this humiliating departure finally found a peaceful end as she quietly entered the fashion frame.