Icon of fashion and owner of the name’s sake Valentino luxury fashion house, Valentino Garavani, died on Monday, January 19, at the age of 93.

He died in his Roman residence surrounded by his loved ones, as stated by his foundation on Instagram.

Valentino leaves behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. He started his journey, learning fashion in Paris before starting his own line in 1959. He became known for his signature scarlet red colour, Valentino red.  

The next year, he met his business partner and future lover, Giancarlo Giammetti. And they launched the Valentino fashion house.

He worked with many famous customers, from royals to top actresses. He designed looks for Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Joan Collins. Royals like Queen Rania of Jordan wore his pieces.

In the 1990s, he worked with many people from the fashion world in New York, the likes of Andy Warhol, Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, and the supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.

He sold his company in 1998 but continued to work for the company. He walked his last catwalk, retiring in 2008. His longstanding legacy will be long remembered as one of the pillars of fashion.

His lying in state will be held on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22^nd, and the funeral will be held on January 23^rd.