The fashion world mourns Valentino Garavani, who passed away in Rome at the age of 93. The lying-in-state will be set up inside PM23, in Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd, at 11:00 a.m. in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica. Born in Voghera on May 11, 1932, the designer chose the capital as his adoptive home, where he lived and worked for decades before founding the maison that bears his name in 1959, which went on to become a global emblem of Italian high fashion. Valentino encompasses over fifty years of fashion history with a straightforward yet revolutionary vision, which he succinctly articulated through a single question: "What do women want? To be beautiful". This principle serves as the guiding thread of a career developed between Rome and Paris, from his academic pursuits in France to international acclaim, including his debut in Florence at the Sala Bianca during Pitti and the renowned "white" collection of 1967, presented against all expectations and met with success that marked a decisive turning point. Central to his life and career was his encounter with Giancarlo Giammetti in 1960, a partnership that was both personal and professional, enabling the designer to dedicate himself fully to creation while the organization and administration of the brand facilitated its growth. Together, they established one of the world's most renowned design firms, dressing divas, heads of state, and royal families ranging from Jackie Kennedy to Sophia Loren to the great Oscar winners. The “Valentino red", chosen early in his youth as a signature color, became a hallmark of a style combining rigor, elegance, and craftsmanship. The designer sold the company in 1998, but continued to work creatively until his official retirement from the runway in 2007, which he honored in Rome with a series of activities that reaffirmed his deep attachment to the city. Even after his official departure from fashion, Valentino remains a prominent presence in the modern imagination, as documented in the documentary "Valentino - The Last Emperor" and rediscovered by new generations. His legacy endures through his collections, the designers he mentored, and a conception of beauty that has transcended eras and languages. With his death, one of the uncontested protagonists of the twentieth century and early 2000s has left a creative legacy that continues to define the identity of Italian fashion around the world.