Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani, whose elegant evening gowns were favored for decades by some of the world’s most glamorous women, died on Monday, January 19. He was 93.

Born in the northern town of Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino — who was popularly known by his first name — learned his trade in the haute couture ateliers in Paris before founding his own line in Rome in 1959.

For many, Valentino’s passing represents the end of a generation of old-world fashion maestros.

Valentino works in his studio in Rome in 1959. Born in the northern town of Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino — who was popularly known by his first name — learned his trade in the haute couture ateliers in Paris before founding his own line in Rome in 1959.
Valentino works in his studio in Rome in 1959. Born in the northern town of Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino — who was popularly known by his first name — learned his trade in the haute couture ateliers in Paris before founding his own line in Rome in 1959.
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Valentino puts make up on a model in his first atelier in Rome in 1959.
Valentino puts make up on a model in his first atelier in Rome in 1959.
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Valentino leans against a sofa in his Rome apartment in 1974.
Valentino leans against a sofa in his Rome apartment in 1974.
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Valentino and former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis attend a benefit for the 1976 Special Olympics.
Valentino and former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis attend a benefit for the 1976 Special Olympics.
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Ira de Furstenberg works with Valentino in his perfume lab in 1978.
Ira de Furstenberg works with Valentino in his perfume lab in 1978.
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Valentino attends a celebration of his career in Rome in 1991. Early on, he became known for his red dresses, in a rich scarlet shade that became his signature color to the extent that it was known within the industry as “Valentino red.”
Valentino attends a celebration of his career in Rome in 1991. Early on, he became known for his red dresses, in a rich scarlet shade that became his signature color to the extent that it was known within the industry as “Valentino red.”
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Valentino Garavani poses with a model in front of a portrait of Mao Zedong in Beijing in 1993.
Valentino Garavani poses with a model in front of a portrait of Mao Zedong in Beijing in 1993.
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Valentino is seen with a model in Los Angeles in 1998.
Valentino is seen with a model in Los Angeles in 1998.
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Valentino works in his office in Rome in 2000.
Valentino works in his office in Rome in 2000.
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Valentino presents a collection at a show in Paris in 2004.
Valentino presents a collection at a show in Paris in 2004.
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Valentino walks past a bronze statue of Roman Emperor Constantine before the start of a 2007 press conference in Rome.
Valentino walks past a bronze statue of Roman Emperor Constantine before the start of a 2007 press conference in Rome.
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Valentino poses at an exhibition of his best creations at the Ara Pacis museum in 2007. It was part of the fashion designer's 45th anniversary celebrations in Rome. He announced in 2007 that he was stepping down as head designer of the Valentino fashion house.
Valentino poses at an exhibition of his best creations at the Ara Pacis museum in 2007. It was part of the fashion designer's 45th anniversary celebrations in Rome. He announced in 2007 that he was stepping down as head designer of the Valentino fashion house.
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Valentino adjusts his tie during a photo call to present the documentary film "Valentino: The Last Emperor" in Rome in 2009.
Valentino adjusts his tie during a photo call to present the documentary film "Valentino: The Last Emperor" in Rome in 2009.
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Actor Anne Hathaway and Valentino at the Academy Awards in 2011. Hathaway wore a couture gown from the fashion house's Fall 2002 collection and arrived with the designer for the red carpet.
Actor Anne Hathaway and Valentino at the Academy Awards in 2011. Hathaway wore a couture gown from the fashion house's Fall 2002 collection and arrived with the designer for the red carpet.
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Valentino poses for a portrait at Somerset House in London.
Valentino poses for a portrait at Somerset House in London.
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From left: Bravo's Andy Cohen, actor Sarah Jessica Parker, mogul Barry Diller and Valentino talk at a 2012 Diane von Furstenberg show in New York.
From left: Bravo's Andy Cohen, actor Sarah Jessica Parker, mogul Barry Diller and Valentino talk at a 2012 Diane von Furstenberg show in New York.
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Valentino adjusts a dress he designed for the "La Traviata" opera at the production's set design studio in Rome in 2016.
Valentino adjusts a dress he designed for the "La Traviata" opera at the production's set design studio in Rome in 2016.
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The model Naomi Campbell and Valentino attend a memorial mass for Franca Sozzani in Italy in 2017. Milan and the rest of the fashion world paid tribute to Sozzani, the longtime editor of Italian Vogue.
The model Naomi Campbell and Valentino attend a memorial mass for Franca Sozzani in Italy in 2017. Milan and the rest of the fashion world paid tribute to Sozzani, the longtime editor of Italian Vogue.
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Valentino attends a lunch in 2017 in honor of Sofia Coppola at his country retreat, Château de Wideville, outside Paris. The post-couture-week lunch for Coppola honored her recent best director prize at Cannes.
Valentino attends a lunch in 2017 in honor of Sofia Coppola at his country retreat, Château de Wideville, outside Paris. The post-couture-week lunch for Coppola honored her recent best director prize at Cannes.
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Valentino arrives at the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Gala in New York.
Valentino arrives at the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Gala in New York.
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Valentino is seen during Paris Fashion Week in 2019.
Valentino is seen during Paris Fashion Week in 2019.
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