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Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, the founder of one of the world’s most celebrated luxury houses and creator of the iconic “Valentino red,” has died at the age of 93, his foundation said on Monday. Known across the industry as the “emperor” of haute couture, Valentino passed away at his home in Rome. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Rising to prominence in the late 1950s, Valentino became the first Italian designer to show on Paris’ elite haute couture runways and helped cement Italy’s global fashion reputation. His romantic yet meticulously detailed designs dressed generations of leading women, from Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor to Oscar winners Sharon Stone and Penelope Cruz. A signature red gown featured in every collection, reflecting his belief that red symbolised strength, beauty and timeless elegance.

Valentino built a global fashion empire under his own name before retiring in 2008, following a farewell couture show in Paris. Alongside his lifelong partner Giancarlo Giammetti, he remained active in supporting the arts, most recently through the PM23 gallery in Rome. Revered as one of the last great couturiers of a pre-commercial fashion era, Valentino leaves behind a legacy defined by craftsmanship, glamour and an enduring devotion to beauty.

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Renowned Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died in London at the age of 80 following a short illness, his family announced on Saturday. Surrounded by his wife and seven children, Costelloe passed away peacefully. Known as one of the most influential names in British and Irish fashion, he built a global reputation with his innovative designs, craftsmanship, and decades-long leadership in the industry.

Born in Dublin, Costelloe studied at the Grafton Academy before moving to Paris for advanced couture training. He launched his own label in 1979 and showcased his collections at London, Paris, Milan, and New York Fashion Weeks. His career reached a major milestone when he was appointed personal designer to Princess Diana in 1983, a partnership that continued until her death in 1997. He frequently worked with traditional Irish fabrics, including linen and tweed, and collaborated with major retailers such as Dunnes Stores.

Costelloe remained a key figure on international runways and served as the closing designer at the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week in 2025. Tributes poured in from political leaders and fashion figures alike. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin called him “an icon of design” who brought Irish fashion to the world stage, while Tánaiste Simon Harris praised his remarkable career and lasting influence. Despite past controversy over comments about Irish women’s fashion, Costelloe recently expressed pride in Ireland’s evolving style identity.

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Italian music icon Ornella Vanoni, whose timeless hit “L’appuntamento” gained global fame after featuring in “Ocean’s Twelve,” has died at her home in Milan at the age of 91. According to Italian media reports, the singer passed away late Friday following cardiac arrest. Known for her bold personality, emotional performances and distinctive voice, Vanoni was one of Italy’s longest-standing musical figures, with a career spanning more than seven decades.

Born in 1934 in Milan, Vanoni first stepped into the spotlight through theatre before transitioning to music in the early 1960s. She became a household name through televised music festivals and went on to release around 40 studio albums, selling over 55 million records. Her music explored themes of love, heartbreak, social struggle and womanhood, earning her national admiration and inspiring generations of artists.

Elegant, outspoken and fiercely independent, Vanoni retained a strong public presence well into her later years, appearing on talk shows and collaborating with new musicians. Known for hits such as “Senza fine” and “Domani è un altro giorno,” her voice remained a cultural symbol of authenticity. She once said she wished for a simple funeral and to have her ashes scattered at sea. “I have the dress,” she joked—“It’s by Dior.”

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