Italian fashion creator Valentino has passed away at the age of 93.
The announcement of his death was made by the fashion creator’s foundation, as reported by Sky News.
"Valentino Garavani passed away today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by loved ones," the foundation conveyed.
The casket will be on display on Wednesday and Thursday, with the funeral scheduled for Friday in Rome at 11:00 AM (10:00 GMT), added the cited source.
Throughout his long career, Valentino, known as the "last emperor of fashion," built a creative empire that spanned decades, fashion trends, and cultural revolutions, always remaining true to a precise idea of beauty, as noted by Corriere della Serra.
Valentino, born in Voghera in 1932, took his first steps in the fashion world in Paris, training in the workshops of Jean Dèsses and Guy Laroche. Upon returning to Italy, he opened his own tailoring atelier on Via Condotti, Rome, in 1958. A turning point in his career came in 1962 at Palazzo Pitti.
The Valentino fashion house, co-founded with Giancarlo Giammetti, quickly achieved incredible success, crowned by prestigious collaborations with Hollywood stars.
Valentino Garavani had one ambition throughout his career: to dress the most beautiful and famous women in the world. He succeeded in doing so at galas, parties, receptions, and red carpet events, always accompanied by celebrities from all fields: Monica Vitti, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand, Sophia Loren, Farah Pahlavi, Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and even Kim Kardashian were among them.
In 1998, Valentino and Giammetti sold the brand to the HdP group (which in turn sold it to the Marzotto group in 2002). Valentino remained the artistic director until 2007. In 2012, the brand was acquired by the Qatari financial company Mayhoola for Investments.