Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has passed away. He was 93 years old.
“Valentino Garavani passed away today in his villa in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones,” the foundation of the same name said in a statement on Instagram on Monday.
He will remain abroad for several days in Piazza Mignanelli, and his funeral will be held on Friday, January 23rd, in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli dei Martiri.
Many fans and friends, including Valentino’s former creative director Pier Paolo Piccioli, flooded the comments section with heartbroken emojis.
Born in Milan in 1932, Garavani became known after opening Maison Valentino in 1960. That same year, he met Giancarlo Giammetti, who would become his long-time business partner.
The artist became synonymous with the color red and later became officially known simply as “Valentino Red.”
The color, later approved by Pantone, was first introduced in the Spring/Summer 1959 collection as a short tulle dress called “La Fiesta”.
He had many celebrity loyal fans, including Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Sophia Loren, and Julia Roberts.
Jacqueline Kennedy famously wore one of his designs to commemorate her late husband John F. Kennedy, and for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis the same year, she chose an unconventional short pleated look from the designer’s Spring 1968 collection.
Anne Hathaway, a longtime friend and face of the brand, wore a custom Valentino dress to her 2012 wedding to Adam Shulman. Garavani is also known for his role in The Devil Wears Prada, and his instantly recognizable Rockstud pumps are featured prominently in the teaser trailer for the sequel.
Valentino retired in 2008 after 45 years at the helm of multiple businesses including beauty, accessories and ready-to-wear. The documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, released the same year, chronicles the time leading up to his final haute couture show.
“I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say goodbye to the world of fashion,” the designer said in a statement, according to The New York Times. “As the British say, I’d like to leave the party while it’s still full.”
“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do what I’ve always loved,” he said. “There are few greater gifts than this.”
