Valentino Garavani, Italian fashion designer to the stars, has died at 93.
A post shared Jan. 19 on Instagram by his foundation and his own @realmrvalentino account reads, “Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.” His cause of death was not given.
The founder of the eponymous brand Valentino retired from designing in 2008 after a storied career in fashion that included dressing notable figures, such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. He also introduced a signature shade of crimson, with a hit of orange, known as “Valentino Red.”
"I love beauty," Valentino said. "It is not my fault. And I know what women want: they want to be beautiful."
In 1960, Elizabeth Taylor chose a white Valentino gown for the premiere of "Spartacus" and would go on to wear a Valentine wedding dress. Julia Roberts famously chose a black vintage Valentino gown trimmed in white when she won her best actress Oscar for "Erin Brockovich" in 2001.
