Mourners on Wednesday started to pay tribute to iconic fashion designer Valentino, who died aged 93 on Monday, as he lies in state at his foundation's PM23 museum in Rome's Piazza Mignanelli.
    "Valentino loved women and wanted them to be beautiful, so we will forever be grateful to him for his creations," said one of the mourners.
    The lying-in-state opened at 11:00 a.m and people had been queuing since 9:00 to pay their respects.
    Valentino's long-time personal and professional partner Giancarlo Giammetti was there and the designer's dogs were also taken to the PM23.
    The lying-in-state is being held on Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m.
    to 6:00 p.m and Valentino's funeral will be take place on Friday, at 11:00 a.m., in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica.
    Valentino's death came just months after that of his great friend and rival Giorgio Armani, who passed aged 91 on September 4.

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