Valentino Garavani, the prominent Italian fashion designer hailed as a father figure in the global fashion industry, has died at the age of 93.

On the 19th (local time), both The New York Times and the Associated Press reported that the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation confirmed his passing, stating, “Valentino Garavani served as a ceaseless guide and inspiration to us all, a true source of light, creativity, and vision.” His funeral is scheduled to take place at a church in Rome on the 23rd.

Born in 1932 in Voghera, Lombardy, Italy, Garavani displayed a keen passion for fashion from a young age and pursued formal studies in the field. He moved to Paris, honing his craft under designer Guy Laroche before returning to Rome in 1960 to launch his own fashion house, Valentino. In 1962, he unveiled the house’s inaugural collection in Florence.

With his acclaimed White Collection in 1968, Garavani quickly established himself as an international designer. He garnered worldwide attention in the 1970s, most notably for designing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s wedding gown. The 1980s marked the zenith of the Valentino brand, with his influence resonating through the era’s power dressing for women.

In 2006, Garavani became the first designer to be awarded the title of Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by President Jacques Chirac of France. Two years later, his storied career was chronicled in the documentary film, “Valentino: The Last Emperor.”

Following his retirement from the forefront of the industry in 2007, Garavani co-founded a charitable foundation with Giancarlo Giammetti in 2016, continuing his legacy of giving back.

Valentino Red, the vivid scarlet shade synonymous with his name, became a flamboyant symbol of the brand. His collaborations with internationally acclaimed actresses such as Elizabeth Taylor and Sharon Stone, along with his popularity among royalty, solidified his reputation as a visionary designer whose influence transcended borders.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Channel 'Charlie Rose'