But he finally had a bona fide cinematic moment of his own in 2001, when Julia Roberts accepted her Erin Brockovich Oscar wearing a vintage 1992 Valentino gown, a look he later called one of the happiest moments of his career because “movie stars love my clothes.”

Valentino’s relationship with Black culture began early and decisively—at a time when most luxury houses resisted inclusion altogether. In the 1960s, Ebony Fashion Fair executive Eunice Johnson personally convinced Valentino to allow Black models to wear his designs during the touring fashion show.

Matt Tyrnauer spent years with the late designer and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti for his documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.

To my dear Valentino, from the very beginning, you always saw me for who I truly am. Your designs were never just gowns… they were emotion, confidence, and delicate beauty brought to life,” Dion wrote in a passionate remembrance on Instagram that featured an image of the pair together.

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93. Founder of the eponymous brand, Valentino scaled the heights of haute couture, built a business empire, and introduced a new color to the fashion world,

The late Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known as Valentino, has dressed some of the most famous women and men of recent decades. Since he co-founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960, his creations have featured at countless red carpets and award ceremonies around the world.

Valentino Garavani, who has died aged 93, was the king of haute couture, creating frocks that the world’s richest women found captivating for their femininity and grace.