Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer and founder of the celebrated Valentino brand, has di£d at age 93.
The announcement was made on Jan. 19 via Valentino’s personal Instagram and his foundation.
It reads: “Our founder, Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones. 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.”
Fellow industry legends left comments on the Instagram post.
Valentino, known for his signature red dresses, saw his profile as a designer rise after Jackie Kennedy bought and wore six of his pieces in the year following her husband John F. Kennedy’s ass@ssination. She also wore a Valentino gown for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.
“I know what women want,” Valentino said in the 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor about the secret to his success as a sought-after designer. “They want to be beautiful.”
One of his most notable moments in pop culture was appearing in the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada as himself.
He was also the subject of the 2008 documentary, which was filmed during the final two years of his career and features appearances from Paltrow, Hathaway, Elizabeth Hurley and Sarah Jessica Parker — as well as his six beloved pugs.