Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer who redefined modern fashion and built one of the world’s most recognisable luxury empires, has died at the age of 91.
"The Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said in a statement on Thursday.
Armani’s empire encompassed the Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani labels, the haute couture line Armani Privé, and Armani Casa, his interiors and design venture.
He had missed his last three shows in June and July due to illness, but had been expected to appear later this month at the brand’s 50th anniversary celebrations, including a landmark exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan.
Armani’s debut collection in 1975 revolutionised tailoring with his concept of soft power dressing. Known as the “King of the Blazer”, he replaced rigid tailoring with fluid lines: longer suit jackets, loosely pleated trousers and sweeping coats. The same principles were applied to womenswear, freeing women from restrictive silhouettes. His muted tones of grey and beige would come to embody understated luxury long before the term “quiet luxury” was coined.
International fame followed in 1980 when Richard Gere wore Armani in American Gigolo. Unlike earlier couturiers who worked with a single star, Armani cultivated multiple Hollywood relationships. Diane Keaton wore his designs to the Oscars in 1978; Jodie Foster has chosen Armani for nearly every Academy Awards since 1989; and Julia Roberts’ oversized grey Armani suit at the 1990 Golden Globes became an enduring red carpet image.
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani first studied medicine before leaving university to serve in the army. He entered fashion almost by chance, working first as a window dresser, then as a menswear designer for Nino Cerruti. At 41, with encouragement from his partner Sergio Galeotti—who persuaded him to sell his Volkswagen Beetle to fund the venture—he launched his own label. Galeotti ran the business until his death in 1995, after which Armani continued alone.
By 2021, Armani-branded products—from clothing to hotels, restaurants, cosmetics and even chocolates—were generating over $4 billion annually.
In later years, Armani gradually prepared for succession. Just days before his death, he told the Financial Times that responsibilities would pass “organically” to Leo Dell’Orco, his family and long-serving staff, rather than through “a moment of rupture”.
Tributes quickly poured in. Donatella Versace hailed him as “a giant … who made history and will be remembered forever”. Actor Diane Kruger described him as “one of the nicest people and mentors I was lucky enough to meet”, while former Vogue editor Edward Enninful praised his belief in creativity and entrepreneurship.
When asked in 2022 how he would like to be remembered, Armani replied simply: “As a sincere man. I say what I mean.”
