00:00He's from the world of fashion. The Italian design legend Valentino Garavani has died,
00:05his foundation breaking the news this Monday. Usually known by only his first name,
00:10Valentino was 93 years old. He retired in 2008, founder of the eponymous brand Valentino Scale
00:16the Heights of Haute Couture, creating a business empire and introducing a new color to the fashion
00:21world, the so-called Valentino Red. His foundation said Valentino Garavani passed away today at his
00:27Roman residence surrounded by his loved ones. Lying estate will be on Wednesday and Thursday,
00:33while the funeral will take place in Rome on Friday at 11am. Let's go to Rome. Seema Gupta is
00:40our correspondent there. Seema, Valentino has passed away. Tell us the reaction where you are.
00:47Yes, definitely. Valentino Garavani, as you mentioned, known by his first name really,
00:52Valentino, are really one of the greats of the fashion world. And there has been a lot of reaction,
00:58even from the political world here, lots of politicians making comments. But of course,
01:03we've also heard from Prime Minister Giorgio Malone and Giorgio Malone saying that Italy really has lost
01:10a legend and that he was an eternal symbol of Italian high fashion and will continue to inspire
01:17generations to come. We also heard from Alessandro Michele. He, of course, is the current designer
01:23for the House of Valentino. And he said he's in immense pain that Valentino expanded the boundaries
01:31of the possible and he will strongly feel his gaze accompanying them as they continue through the
01:38years. So really a strong reaction there. And as you mentioned, the body will lie in state for two days
01:44before the actual funeral, which will be happening at the Basilica of St. Mary and the Angels and
01:50Martyrs in the centre of Rome on Friday. Remarkable location for a remarkable man. Seema,
01:59this could be one of the most, I suppose, best dressed events of the year. And I think in some way,
02:04that might well be a great tribute to Valentino. Yes, he was a man who always said he wanted to be
02:12surrounded by beauty and that was the best way for him to create. Now, he was well known for his
02:17collections that was filled with luxury, wealth and opulence. And it was also reflected in his
02:24lifestyle with his many homes around the world. And of course, he was known very much also for his
02:29image. He was perennially tanned and had that perfect hairdo. But really, he started his fashion,
02:35his interest at a very young age. He was born in the town of Vogueira, which is close to Milan in
02:41northern Italy. And his family supported him in his creative interests. He went on to study in Milan and
02:49in Paris, in the top art schools and fashion schools of Paris, and then training apprenticeship under
02:55several French fashion designers before, of course, coming back to Italy and opening his very first studio
03:01in Rome's fashionable Via Condotti. So he's very much associated with the city of Rome. And back
03:07in 2007, there was a three-day event in the city to celebrate his fashion. There was an exhibition
03:14at Rome's Arapacis Museum, which I also was lucky enough to see. And really, we saw on display,
03:20of course, that Valentino red, that very specific colour that was associated with him. And then in 2008,
03:27he made the decision to step down. And then, of course, over the years, we saw his cameo
03:32appearance in that Hollywood film, The Devil Wears Prada. His image, his style, his fashion,
03:40very much iconic. Many have said that he was the last of the greats after the death of Karl Lagerfeld
03:47and of Giorgio Amani as well, who died back in September. Seema Gupta, thank you very much
03:53indeed for giving us more context and more appreciation of Valentino, the man, the designer,
03:58who has passed away at the age of 93. Seema Gupta in Rome. Of course, we'll have more reaction
04:04from Seema as we go through the evening.
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