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ROME — The fashion world mourns the passing of Italian design maestro Valentino Garavani, who died Monday at 93 in his Roman residence surrounded by close companions. His foundation confirmed the news through social media channels, announcing funeral arrangements scheduled for Friday in the Italian capital with public viewings preceding the service.

Known mononymously as Valentino, the visionary designer spent nearly five decades defining luxury aesthetics for generations of style icons. His signature ‘Valentino red’ creations became sartorial symbols for international aristocracy and Hollywood royalty alike—from Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana to Elizabeth Taylor and contemporary stars like Julia Roberts.

Born May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Lombardy, Valentino developed an early obsession with refined aesthetics. “I have had this illness since childhood,” he told Elle Italia in 2007. “I only like beautiful things.” His journey began at 17 when he departed for Paris to study fashion, immersing himself in the transformative post-war elegance of Christian Dior’s revolutionary designs.

After apprenticeships with Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, Valentino established his eponymous maison in 1960’s Rome—a city then thriving as ‘Hollywood on the Tiber.’ His 1962 Florence debut collection introduced the world to his now-iconic crimson hue, but his 1964 encounter with Jacqueline Kennedy proved transformative. The future First Lady’s choice of his ivory lace gown for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis catapulted Italian design onto the global stage.

Business partner and former lover Giancarlo Giammetti played a pivotal role in scaling the brand internationally, recalling in the 2008 documentary ‘Valentino: The Last Emperor’ that managing the designer’s genius “required a lot of patience.” Their collaboration built a fashion empire spanning Roman palazzos, Swiss chalets, and a 50-meter yacht—all reflecting Valentino’s philosophy of uncompromising glamour.

The designer’s retirement in January 2008 after his final Paris show marked the end of an era celebrated for sensual, figure-enhancing designs. “I love a woman who eats food, who has a body,” he told The New Yorker in 2005, rejecting extreme thinness in favor of voluptuous femininity. His legacy continues through the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum—the fashion industry’s first digital museum launched in 2011—ensuring future generations can experience his pursuit of beauty through immersive technology.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican music community is in mourning following the sudden passing of legendary musician Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore at age 69. The co-founder and musical director of iconic reggae band Third World died on Sunday, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the nation’s cultural landscape.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness publicly honored Coore’s extraordinary contributions, characterizing him as a monumental figure in Jamaica’s cultural history and a fundamental architect of the country’s global musical identity. Through an official statement on social media platform X, Holness emphasized how Coore’s work with Third World created a distinctive sound that transported Jamaica’s rhythm, spirit, and message to international audiences worldwide.

“His artistic approach combined technical mastery with profound cultural awareness,” Holness noted, “producing music that remains both eternally relevant and distinctly Jamaican in character.”

The Prime Minister further highlighted Coore’s role as a genuine cultural ambassador who represented Jamaica with exceptional dignity, excellence, and national pride. His pioneering contributions to the creative arts, Holness stated, significantly enriched Jamaica’s national identity while inspiring multiple generations of musicians both within the country and across the global music scene.

Recognizing Coore’s previous honor of receiving the Order of Distinction for his cultural contributions, Holness extended official condolences on behalf of the Jamaican government and its citizens. The Prime Minister specifically addressed sympathies to Coore’s wife Lisa, his children, grandchildren, family members, fellow bandmates, and the international community of admirers whose lives were profoundly impacted by his artistic work.

“May his musical legacy endure as a perpetual reminder of our national identity,” Holness concluded, “and demonstrate the unique power of Jamaican creativity to foster global unity through artistic expression.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican cultural landscape is in mourning following the passing of renowned musician Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, celebrated by the nation’s Ministry of Culture as an irreplaceable talent and genuine ‘Reggae Ambassador.’ Minister Olivia Grange, overseeing Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, issued an official statement honoring Coore’s extraordinary contributions to music both locally and internationally.

Coore, who co-founded the legendary Third World Band, was remembered as a pioneering force in reggae music whose influence transcended generations. Minister Grange emphasized the profound sense of loss felt across Jamaica, extending heartfelt condolences to his wife Lisa, children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley, along with his grandchildren and wide circle of friends and collaborators.

The government officially acknowledged the Coore family’s generosity in sharing the musician’s exceptional talents with the world. Grange specifically highlighted Coore’s musical journey, noting his early involvement with the successful group Inner Circle before establishing Third World Band, which produced iconic hits including ‘Now That We Found Love,’ ’96 Degrees in the Shade,’ and the fitting anthem ‘Reggae Ambassador.’

His artistic excellence earned him national recognition, including the prestigious Order of Distinction. While his physical presence will be deeply missed, Minister Grange affirmed that Coore’s enduring legacy would continue to inspire both contemporary and future musicians. The statement concluded with a poignant farewell: ‘Rest well, reggae ambassador.’