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Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who founded the Valentino brand and became famous for his signature red, has died at 93.
His foundation announced his death on Instagram, writing, “Our founder, Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.”
The post continued, “The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday January 21st and Thursday January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
“The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”
According to The New York Times, Valentino founded his company in 1959.
He told the paper in 2007, “It is very, very simple. I try to make my girls look sensational.”
The Times points out several notable dresses he designed, from Elizabeth Taylor’s gown for the 1960 Roman premiere of “Spartacus” to the dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore in 1968 at her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.
He was also the name behind the black-and-white dress Julia Roberts wore as she picked up her 1991 Oscar and Anne Hathaway’s 2012 wedding gown.
Colman Domingo warmly remembered Valentino on social media, writing, “Thank you Mr. Valentino for inspiring so many to be beautiful. To quote: ‘There are only three things I can do – make a dress, decorate a house, and entertain people.’ This man lived a life to make beautiful things and to make us all feel like we are living in a fantasy that becomes ones reality. I am most proud of my ambassadorship with @maisonvalentino because of his story. A life well lived.”
After appearing as himself in “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), Valentino announced his retirement in 2007 ahead of his final show in Paris in January 2008.
He said in a retirement statement to The Times, “As the English say, I would like to leave the party when it is still full.”
The designer added, “Even as a young boy, my passion was to design, and I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life. There can be few greater gifts than that. I am especially grateful that I have been able to keep my own style over the decades, in spite of the many changes that have taken place in the world of fashion and in its business.”
A documentary about his life called “Valentino: The Last Emperor” was released in 2008.
Valentino’s longtime business partner was Giancarlo Giammetti, with whom he founded his brand. They were in a romantic relationship for 12 years and remained as close as family members for the rest of their lives.
According to a 2009 Vanity Fair story, Valentino had lived with Bruce Hoeksema since 1982. Hoeksema is the former vice president of Valentino, a position he left in 1998.