The fashion world mourns the loss of a legend as renowned Italian designer Valentino Garavani passed away at the age of 93. His family announced that he left this world peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Rome.

Valentino’s foundation shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, revealing plans for his body to lie in state before his funeral on Friday. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, known to the world simply as Valentino, left an indelible mark on the fashion industry over his extraordinary six-decade career.

His creations graced the likes of Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Princess Diana, as well as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Valentino was celebrated for his exquisite tailoring and glamorous gowns, and his use of a distinctive shade of red, which has since become synonymous with his name—’Valentino red.’

The foundation’s statement expressed deep sorrow, saying, “The Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti announces the passing of its founder, Valentino Garavani, who peacefully left us today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by family.”

The statement read:’ The foundazione Valentino 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’. 

Iconic Italian fashion designer Valentino ​Garavani died aged ​of ‍93 ​’surrounded by his loved ones’ at his home in Rome on Monday (pictured with Kim Kardashian in 2014) 

His foundation took to Instagram to confirm the tragic news following his passing at his home in Rome (Pictured with Victoria Beckham in 2018)  

Valentino, dressed everyone from Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham to Elizabeth Taylor (pictured with Princess Diana 1990) 

The statement read:’ The Foundazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giametti announces the passing of its founder, Valentino Garvani’

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’. 

Fans and famous friends rushed to the comments to share their condolences with supermodel Helena Christensen writing: ‘Such wonderful memories with this beautiful talented man and genius’.

While Linda Evangelista shared a slew of emojis so display her heartbreak. 

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,  before returning to Rome to launch his own brand with business and romantic partner Giancarlo Giammetti, 87.

The luxurious line with glamorous gowns quickly developed a loyal clientele, including Elizabeth Taylor, who became one of his first famous customers.

Valentino and Giancarlo had a 12-year romantic relationship but that transitioned into one of ‘fraternal love’ and the pair became ‘blood brothers’.

Giancarlo told Vanity Fair in 2013:  ‘I was just 30 when the physical part of our relationship ended, and it was difficult in the beginning, we had to solve problems with jealousy’. 

‘But we’re all grown up—very grown up—and we know that time solves every problem. We’ve always wanted to be the best for the other. But, you know, from the beginning Valentino and I never lived together’.

He was renowned for his impeccable tailoring, glam gowns as well as the use signature shade of red, now universally known as ‘Valentino red’ (pictured 2007) 

Valentino founded the Valentino label in 1960 and sold the brand in 1998 for $300million and  designed his last collection in 2008 (pictured 1995)

Pictured with left with Sarah Jessica Parker in 2012 and right with Claudia Schiffer in 1996

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born in 1932 just south of Milan in the small town of Voghera (pictured 1970) 

Valentino (L) apprenticed for various Parisian couture houses, before returning to Rome to launch his own brand with business and romantic partner Giancarlo Giammetti (R) in 2008

The luxurious line with glamorous gowns quickly developed a loyal clientele, including Elizabeth Taylor (pictured together 1990) who became one of his first famous customers

Before adding: ‘That’s probably why your love for each other lasted.’ 

He sold the brand in 1998 for a whopping $300million before designing his last collection for the label in 2008.

Speaking about his love of fashion in Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic, he said: ‘I would dream about beautiful women, extremely sophisticated, all made up with beautiful jewellery and beautiful dresses.’

‘I think, from that time, I decided I wanted to be a fashion designer.’