Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer maestro, who transformed understated elegance into a global fashion empire worth billions, passed away on Thursday at the age of 91, his fashion house confirmed.
Armani died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. Known for his tireless dedication, he continued working until his final days on new collections and upcoming projects, reports AP.
Armani, one of the most celebrated figures in the fashion world, missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for the first time due to an undisclosed illness. He had been preparing a grand event this month to mark the 50th anniversary of his iconic Giorgio Armani fashion house.
A public viewing will take place this weekend at the Armani Theater, where he presented many of his collections, while the funeral will remain private. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, including from fellow designer Donatella Versace, Hollywood star Julia Roberts, and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, all hailing his unmatched contribution to fashion and culture.
Armani revolutionised style in the late 1970s with his relaxed, lining-free jackets and muted tones, creating a distinct silhouette that shaped both executive wardrobes and red-carpet looks. His designs became synonymous with Hollywood glamour, with Richard Gere’s wardrobe in American Gigolo cementing Armani’s global fame. Over the decades, stars like Sean Penn, Anne Hathaway, George Clooney, Sophia Loren, and the Beckhams embraced his timeless style.
Beyond fashion, Armani built an empire valued at over $10 billion, spanning clothing, accessories, cosmetics, perfumes, home furnishings, books, chocolates, restaurants, clubs, hotels, and even a basketball team, Olympia Milano. He opened more than 20 restaurants worldwide and two luxury hotels in Dubai and Milan.
Born in Piacenza, Italy in 1934, Armani originally aspired to become a doctor before entering fashion through a part-time job as a window dresser. In 1975, he and his partner Sergio Galeotti launched their menswear label with just $10,000. Soon after, womenswear followed, and his “power suit” became a symbol of rising businesswomen in the 1980s.
Armani also left a cultural legacy, with exhibitions at New York’s Guggenheim Museum and the opening of his own Armani Silos museum in Milan. Despite global recognition, he remained fiercely independent, never selling any part of his company. He prepared for succession through a foundation and entrusted creative leadership to longtime collaborator Leo Dell’Orco and his niece Silvana Armani.
Known as “Re Giorgio” (King George) in Italy, Armani’s minimalist personal style mirrored his design philosophy: easygoing elegance with a focus on practicality. His philanthropy was equally impactful, supporting children’s causes, the fight against AIDS, and refugees as a UN goodwill ambassador.
Armani never married but shared a deep bond with his family. He is survived by his sister Rosanna, her son Andrea Camerana, and nieces Silvana and Roberta, who has long managed the brand’s celebrity relations.
Even in his absence, Giorgio Armani’s vision of refined simplicity, timeless tailoring, and modern sophistication will continue to shape the fashion world for generations.
