Italian Fashion Icon Giorgio Armani Dies at 91

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, whose name became synonymous with timeless elegance and understated luxury, has died at the age of 91, the Armani Group announced Thursday.

“Il Signor Armani, as he was respectfully called, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones,” the company said in a statement. The brand described its founder as a “tireless driving force” who nurtured the company with “vision, passion, and dedication.”

Armani’s influence reshaped modern fashion. After launching his namesake label in 1975 with partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani introduced soft, unstructured jackets that redefined men’s tailoring and helped popularize a new, fluid style for women. His breakthrough came in Hollywood in 1980, when Richard Gere wore Armani in American Gigolo. The brand quickly became a red carpet favorite, dressing stars like Sophia Loren, Sean Connery, Tina Turner, and Cate Blanchett.

Over the decades, Armani expanded beyond clothing with lines such as Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Jeans, and Armani/Casa. He also made his mark in hospitality with hotels in Milan and Dubai. A sports enthusiast, he purchased Italy’s Olimpia Milano basketball team and designed Italy’s Olympic uniforms for multiple Games.

Despite competition from fashion conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, Armani remained the sole shareholder of his company, which Bloomberg Intelligence valued between €8 and €10 billion in 2024. As of now, no clear heir to the Armani empire has been named.

Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani initially studied medicine before turning to fashion. His career began as a window dresser at La Rinascente in Milan, then as a designer for Nino Cerruti. After Galeotti’s death in 1985, Armani became the sole leader of his brand, guiding it for nearly five decades.

Armani’s accolades included Italy’s Order of Merit, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, and appointment as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. His work continues to resonate with new generations, and a thriving secondhand market for his vintage designs underlines his enduring relevance.

His death comes just as Milan prepared to honor his 50 years in fashion with a dedicated exhibition and runway event at Palazzo Brera.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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