Giorgio Armani, whose name became shorthand for Italian refinement and modern tailoring, has died at the age of 91.
Il Signor Armani, as he was respectfully known within his company, passed away peacefully in Milan, surrounded by loved ones.
Founded in 1975 alongside his partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani’s house grew into a global empire spanning fashion, fragrance, hospitality, and sport, while remaining independent in an era dominated by conglomerates.
What began as a small Milanese atelier became a global house with revenues in the billions, guided throughout by Armani’s steady hand.
A global influence
Armani was instrumental in redefining what style could mean in the late 20th century. His softly tailored jackets liberated men from rigid suiting, while his sharply cut trouser suits gave women a uniform of power in the corporate world.
Hollywood embraced him early: Richard Gere’s wardrobe in American Gigolo introduced Armani to a generation, while Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, Zendaya, and countless others carried his gowns onto the world’s most visible red carpets.
He was also among the first designers to act on health in the industry, banning underweight models after the death of Ana Carolina Reston in 2006. His influence extended beyond fashion’s core, from designing stage costumes for Lady Gaga to forming partnerships with Ferrari in Formula 1 and owning the Olimpia Milano basketball team.
The man behind the house
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani first studied medicine before working as a window dresser at La Rinascente in Milan. Designer Nino Cerruti offered him his first design role in the 1960s, where Armani refined his signature relaxed tailoring. With Galeotti’s encouragement, he launched his own house in 1975, quickly finding international acclaim.
Despite global recognition, Armani lived and worked with measured discipline. In an interview with the Financial Times this summer, he admitted his “only regret” was spending too many hours at work and too little with friends and family. Yet his commitment was unrelenting: employees described him as “indefatigable to the end.”
Armani’s passing closes a chapter in Italian fashion, but his imprint remains woven into the fabric of global style.
