Milan – Italian fashion legend Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91, his fashion house announced on Thursday. He passed away peacefully at his home in Milan, surrounded by family.
The designer, whose brand became a symbol of understated elegance, had missed Milan Fashion Week in June while recovering from an undisclosed illness. He was preparing to mark 50 years of the Giorgio Armani label during this month’s Milan Fashion Week.
A public viewing is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Armani Theater, where he showcased many of his collections. The funeral will be private.
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani abandoned his early dream of becoming a doctor after discovering fashion through a part-time job in a Milan department store. In 1975, together with partner Sergio Galeotti, he launched his label with just $10,000, starting with menswear before moving into womenswear.
He transformed global fashion with his relaxed tailoring, unstructured jackets and muted palettes, creating what became known as the “power suit” in the 1980s. His designs quickly moved from Wall Street boardrooms to Hollywood red carpets, with stars like Richard Gere, Sophia Loren and George Clooney counted among his clients.
Over five decades, Armani built an empire valued at over $10 billion, stretching beyond clothes into perfumes, hotels, restaurants and even sports, owning the basketball team Olympia Milano. His company employs more than 9,000 people and operates over 600 stores worldwide.
Tributes poured in after news of his passing. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described him as “a symbol of the best Italy,” while fellow designer Donatella Versace said, “The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever.”
Armani never sold his company, insisting on keeping full control. He had already mapped out succession plans, entrusting creative leadership to long-time collaborators Leo Dell’Orco and his niece Silvana Armani.
He is survived by his sister Rosanna, her son Andrea Camerana, and his nieces Silvana and Roberta, who worked closely with him in the business.
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