Archive photo. Founder of the Valentino fashion house Valentino Garavani has died
His death occurred on January 19 in Rome, surrounded by family. Farewell events 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, in northern Italy. At the age of 17, he moved to Paris, where he studied at the School of Fine Arts and the Syndicate of Haute Couture. In 1959, he returned to Rome, and a year later, together with his partner Giancarlo Giammetti, he founded his fashion house.
The first show that attracted foreign clients took place in 1962 in Florence. Among the first clients of the couturier was Jacqueline Kennedy, who in 1964 ordered six dresses for mourning her assassinated husband, former U.S. President John Kennedy.
In 1998, Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti sold the Valentino brand to the Italian conglomerate HdP for $300 million, and in 2002 it was acquired by Marzotto Appareli.
In 2007, Valentino Garavani announced his retirement from the fashion world after his last show in Paris.
Some Valentino outfits have long been exhibited in museums around the world and continue to attract the attention of celebrities.
