Iconic fashion designer Valentino Garavani, usually known simply by his first name, has died at the age of 93, his foundation announced on Monday, Ansa reported.
His death comes three months after the death of his great friend and rival Giorgio Armani at the age of 91 on September 4.
Valentino “passed away peacefully at his Roman residence, surrounded by the love of his loved ones,” the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation said in a statement.
The funeral will be held on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome.
His creations were embraced by generations of famous figures, from style icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Belgium’s Queen Paola to later stars including Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett. Valentino’s dresses became a staple of major global events, especially award ceremonies, where his designs came to symbolize classic red-carpet elegance. Even after he stepped away from active design, the fashion house continued to hold a strong presence at prestigious cultural occasions.
Garavani officially retired from the runway in 2008. Although no longer involved in the daily creative process, he remained an influential figure in the fashion industry and an enduring emblem of Italian haute couture.
