100 Heroes: Valentino Garavani
The gay man who became an iconic fashion designer.
The iconic fashion designer known simply as Valentino has died, aged 93.
His funeral will be held in Rome on Friday 23 January.
Who was Valentino?
Early life
Valentino was born in 1932, in Voghera, a town near Milan. He was named after the Italian actor Rudolph Valentino.
Moving to Paris as a young man, he began his career in fashion as an apprentice to designers such as Jean Dessès, Christian Dior and Guy Laroche.
The fashion house
In 1959, at the age of 27, Valentino launched his eponymous fashion house - financial backing from his family helped him realise his ambitions.
He quickly established an A-list clientele that included celebrities such as Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jackie Kennedy.
Known for creating clothes that embodied Italian glamour and sophistication, his signature piece was a red dress.
In 1998, Valentino sold his fashion house. The label is currently owned by a Qatari investment fund.
Valentino officially retired from designing in 2007.
The relationship
In 1960, Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti. They were both romantic and business partners - Giammetti invested in Valentino's fashion house, reportedly saving it from bankruptcy.
Their romantic relationship ended in 1972 but they remained business partners.
Other significant relationships for Valentino included Carlos Souza, and Bruce Hoeksema.
