rome — International fashion celebrities will join the public on Friday morning to bid farewell to the famous designer Valentino at his funeral ceremony in Rome at the central church of Santa Maria delle Angeli e dei Martieri.
After a two-day public presentation on Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino Foundation headquarters in the Italian capital, the funeral represents the final tribute to the world-famous designer.
The funeral ceremony is expected to be attended by prominent names in the fashion world, including designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, in addition to Anna Wintour, owner of Vogue magazine, and Hollywood stars such as Anne Hathaway.
Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his residence in Rome on Monday, was beloved by generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Queen Rania of Jordan and Julia Roberts who swore that the designer always made them look and feel their best.
Hundreds of people have already shown their respect to the “Last Emperor” of Italian fashion during the public presentation. Valentino always keeps his atelier in Rome, while unveiling most of his collections in Paris.
His lavish gowns have won him countless Academy Awards, most notably in 2001 when Roberts wore a vintage black-and-white column to accept her Best Actress statue. Cate Blanchett also wore a yellow silk one-shoulder Valentino dress when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2005.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.