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Valentino Garavani death: Who is Giancarlo Giammetti? All on the Italian designer's partner and family
Italian designer Valentino Garavani died peacefully at his Rome home. He was never married and shared a lifelong partnership with Giancarlo Giammetti.
Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer, passed away at his home on Monday, his foundation announced. He died "peacefully" and "surrounded by his family" at his Rome residence, the foundation said. He was 93.
Garavani was not married. But his lifelong partner - both professionally and personally - was Italian businessman Giancarlo Giammetti. The two had been in a relationship since first meeting in the 1990s. Besides their personal relationship, Giammetti co-founded their iconic fashion brand, Valentino, with Garavani and managed the business side of things.
"Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti announces the passing of its founder, Valentino Garavani, who peacefully passed away today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by the love of his family," the statement read, confirming his death.
The foundation confirmed that the Garavani will be laid with stare honors at the PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli for two days: Wednesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 22, from 11:00 am to 6:00 p.m.
The funeral is at the Basilica Santa Maria degil Angeli e dei Martiri in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome starting 11 a.m. on January 23, the statement added.
Who Is Giancarlo Giammetti?
Giancarlo Giammetti is an Italian businessman and art patron. Born in 1940 in Rome, Italy, he met designer Valentino Garavani in 1960, and their relationship lasted for decades.
Giammetti played a crucial role in expanding the Valentino brand internationally, helping transform it into a globally recognized luxury label. He is also involved in a host of different initiatives under Valentino, such as Valentino Academy and L.I.F.E. Association.
Also read: Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani dies at 93
Giammetti is also a prominent art collector, with works by Picasso, Basquiat, Rothko, and others. He has been involved in high-end real estate, with several property purchases, including in places like New York City. Among his assets is also a superyacht, reports indicate.
Regarding his partnership with Valentino Garavanni, Giancarlo Giammetti has called it an honor. "This honor is because of him. It’s not because of me," he had famously said. I think the most important thing I did was to leave him free to do what he wanted to do.”
