Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani, whose elegant evening gowns were favoured for decades by some of the world’s most glamorous women, has died at the age of 93.
According to a statement issued on Monday by his foundation, Garavani died at his residence in Rome, Italy, surrounded by his family members.
The statement read, “Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.
“The lying-in-state will be held at PM23, Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, Rome, at 11:00 a.m.”
Born in the northern Italian town of Voghera in 1932, Valentino, popularly known simply by his first name, learned his craft in the haute couture ateliers of Paris before founding his own fashion house in Rome in 1959.
Early in his career, he became renowned for his red dresses, a rich scarlet shade that became his signature colour and was widely known in the industry as “Valentino red.”