The Italian designer Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in fashion history, passed away this Monday at the age of 93 at his residence in Rome, as confirmed by his foundation and Giancarlo Giammetti, co-founder of the brand and the designer's former partner. Garavani died surrounded by his loved ones, as announced by the Valentino Foundation through its social media channels.
The wake will be held at the historic headquarters of the maison, at Piazza Mignanelli 23, where tributes can be paid on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica, at 11:00 AM.
Born in Voghera (Lombardy), Valentino began his training in Paris, a key city in his professional career, where he worked with haute couture icons such as Jean Dessès, Guy Laroche, and Cristóbal Balenciaga. That period marked the beginning of a career that would eventually place him among the great names in international fashion.
Retired from fashion shows since 2008, Garavani left an indelible mark by dressing some of the world's most influential women for decades, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Sharon Stone, Queen Rania of Jordan, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anne Hathaway. His legacy, linked to elegance, luxury, and the celebrated "Valentino red," will continue to be an undisputed benchmark in fashion history.