Funeral service with stars for fashion designer Valentino in Rome

Celebrities such as actresses Anne Hathaway (43) and Liz Hurley (60) and the long-time editor-in-chief of fashion magazine "Vogue" Anna Wintour (76) gathered in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome to attend the funeral service for the designer, who died at the age of 93. Other star guests included Donatella Versace and Tom Ford.

Valentino - whose full name was Valentino Garavani - died on Monday. The Italian was one of the most famous fashion designers for decades. He quickly made a name for himself in the fashion world with his elegant style. He dressed queens, film stars and first ladies. His trademark was the color red, the famous "Valentino red".

Sophia Loren with an emotional message

The forecourt of the church in the Italian capital was already filled with fans of the fashion designer early in the morning. In the morning, his coffin was carried into the basilica. Valentino's long-time companion Giancarlo Giammetti (83) and his last partner Bruce Hoeksema (68) were present. As the newspaper "La Repubblica" reported, Italian film legend Sophia Loren (91) left a funeral wreath with the inscription "Always in my heart".

On Wednesday and Thursday, Valentino's coffin was laid out at the headquarters of his former fashion house near the Spanish Steps in the center of Rome. Thousands of people took their leave of him there. After the funeral service today, Friday, the coffin will be buried in a Roman cemetery in a grave designated as a family chapel.