Renowned fashion designer Valentino has died at the age of 93, his foundation has said.
"Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones," the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation said on Instagram today (19 January).
It added that Valentino will be lying in state at Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday and Thursday. A funeral service will then be held on Friday at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs.
The Italian fashion great created his namesake brand in the 60s, and became known for his dresses in a particular bright shade of red, which soon became known in the industry as 'Valentino red'.
Over the past 15 years, the Valentino Rockstud has become an iconic signature of the company and is present throughout its clothing line and shoes.
He was previously ranked with Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld as the last of the great designers from an era before fashion became the global, highly commercial industry it is today.
Valentino was the last of the three, with Lagerfeld passing away in 2019 and Armani having died in September.
In a 2011 interview with The Talks, Valentino admitted: "As a creator, beauty is the most important.
"Since I was a child, I loved the way a dress looks, I admired a great face, a lovely body. I enjoy the beauty in a woman, in a man, in a child, in a painting.
"Beautiful things are important and make life important. Since I was a kid I’ve been encouraging myself to appreciate beauty."
For him, a 'perfect Valentino woman' meant someone with 'taste' and who knows 'what she wants'.
"Because it’s very frustrating for me if somebody says, 'Listen, I’ll let you do what you want; I’m there like a piece of glass and you have to do something nice for me'," he added.
"I think it’s better if a woman comes and she discusses with you, and she has personality so you are more attracted to her to make clothes. This is the kind of woman I love."
Additional words by Anish Vij.
Topics: Fashion
Jess Battison