The Tamesis
Today, the fashion world is mourning one of its most legendary figures. Valentino Garavani, the designer who founded the Valentino brand in 1960, also defined the sweet life The glamor of Roman jet-set style who also introduced Italian fashion to the Paris catwalks – has died aged 93.
“He died peacefully at his home in Rome, surrounded by the love of his family,” Valentino Garavani and the Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation wrote in a statement posted on Instagram. The designer’s body will be laid to rest in Rome’s Piazza Mignanelli, on the Spanish Steps, from January 21 to 22. Right in front of the Valentino headquarters. His funeral will be held the next day at the Basilica of the Angels and Martyrs, a Michelangelo-designed church set among the ruins of the ancient Baths of Diocletian, a fitting venue for the designer widely known as fashion’s “last emperor.”
The news sparked a wave of tributes around the world, with fashion giants and Hollywood stars praising Garavani’s powerful influence on style and culture – from his iconic gowns for the likes of Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana, to the brand’s revival over the past decade with the support of Pierpaolo Piccioli and, most recently, Alessandro Michele.
Here, read the world’s reflections on the life and legacy of Valentino Garavani.
