Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer who founded the eponymous luxury house known for its opulent and elegant designs, has died aged 93. His foundation announced on Monday that he passed away at his Roman residence, surrounded by loved ones. The designer's body will lie in state at the foundation's headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with his funeral scheduled for Friday.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, paid tribute on X, calling him an 'undisputed master of style and elegance' and an 'eternal symbol of Italian high fashion.' The designer's foundation described him as 'a true source of light, creativity and vision.'
Born in 1932 in Voghera, near Milan, Valentino trained under Jean Dessès, Christian Dior and Guy Laroche before launching his own label in 1959. His clients soon included Hollywood stars such as Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy, who wore a Valentino wedding dress when she married Aristotle Onassis in 1968. He dressed Diana, Princess of Wales, after her divorce.
Valentino's signature shade of red, halfway between crimson and poppy, is officially recognised by Pantone. He retired in 2007 after a final haute couture show where every model wore a red dress. His career spanned more than 45 years, and he was known for his impeccable personal style, often seen in a suit with a deep suntan.
Valentino's life was documented in the 2008 film 'Valentino: The Last Emperor,' which showcased his jetset lifestyle with business and life partner Giancarlo Giammetti. The pair sold the company in 1998 for about $300 million; it is now owned by the Qatari investment fund Mayhoola.
