Archive photo. Founder of the Valentino fashion house Valentino Garavani has died
Garavani passed away on January 19 at his residence in Rome, surrounded by family. Farewell ceremonies are scheduled for January 21 and 22 at Minyanelli Square, and the funeral will take place on Friday at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
Valentino Garavani was born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, located in northern Italy. At the age of 17, he moved to Paris to study at the School of Fine Arts and the Syndicate of Haute Couture. After returning to Rome in 1959, he founded his fashion house in 1960 with partner Giancarlo Giammetti.
The first successful show that attracted the attention of foreign clients took place in Florence in 1962. One of the first clients was Jacqueline Kennedy, who in 1964 purchased six dresses for mourning events for her late husband, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
In 1998, Garavani and Giammetti sold the Valentino brand to the Italian conglomerate HdP for $300 million, and in 2002 it was acquired by Marzotto Appareli.
In 2007, the designer announced his retirement from the fashion industry after his last show in Paris.
Some Valentino collections have long been featured in museums around the world, and his outfits continue to be worn by famous personalities.
