The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is remembering legendary designer Valentino Garavani, who died on Jan. 19 at the age of 93.

The company released a statement via social media and said, “With great sadness the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma bids farewell to Valentino Garavani, who passed away today at the age of 93 years. Undisputed master of fashion and elegance, his vision and creations leave a deep mark on the contemporary imagination. We remember him with particular gratitude for having designed and made with his Atelier, in 2016, the beautiful costumes from the production of “La Traviata” directed by Sofia Coppola.The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma expresses its proximity and most sincere condolences to its loved ones and collaborators.”

Garavani was an Italian fashion designer who founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960m and his main lines included Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino. He began his career at Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche before returning to Rome to learn under Emilio Schuberth and Vincenzo Ferdinandi.

Valentino and his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, sold the company to HdP Group for US$300 million in 1998 and he conducted his final haute couture show in 2008, having departed as creative director the year before.

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