Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani dies ‘surrounded by his loved ones’ aged 93 after iconic career dressing the likes of everyone from Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham to Princess Diana

Iconic Italian fashion designer Valentino ​Garavani died ​’surrounded by his loved ones’ at ⁠the age ​of ‍93 on Monday, its been announced. 

His foundation took to Instagram to confirm the tragic news following his passing at his home in Rome, before announcing his body would lay in state ahead of Friday’s funeral. 

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, known mononymously as Valentino, dressed everyone from Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham to Princess Diana  and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy throughout his incredible sixty year career.

The statement read:’ The foundazione Valentio Garavani e Giancarlo Giametti announces the passing of its founder, Valentino Garvani, who peacefully passed away today at his residence in Tome, surrounded by his family’. 

‘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’. 

Before adding: ‘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’.

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born in 1932 just south of Milan in the small town of Voghera. 

His passion for fashion began as a young boy, and at age 17, he moved to Paris to study at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.

Throughout the 1950s, Valentino apprenticed for various Parisian couture houses, where he honed his art in fashion design. 

He returned to Italy in 1959 and opened a fashion house of his own in Rome, where he quickly developed a loyal clientele, including Elizabeth Taylor, who became one of his first famous customers.