Giorgio Armani, iconic Italian designer and founder of the Armani Group, has died at 91 in Milan, leaving behind a transformative legacy that spanned fifty years across fashion, cinema, and global culture.
The Announcement
On September 4th, the Armani Group announced with deep sorrow the passing of its creator, Giorgio Armani, describing him as a ‘tireless driving force’ who worked dedicatedly until his final days. Armani died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Known as ‘Il Signor Armani’ to employees and colleagues, he fostered a familial atmosphere within his company. In accordance with his wishes, the funeral will be private, while the funeral chamber at Armani/Teatro in Milan will be open to the public September 6-7.
“In this company, we have always felt like part of a family. Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication. But it is precisely in his spirit that we, the employees and the family members who have always worked alongside Mr. Armani, commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love,” the Armani Group wrote in a statement.
Legacy and Succession
Born July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, Armani originally studied medicine at the University of Milan before moving into the world of fashion via a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente department store in Milan. This initial experience led him to design for Cerruti and freelance for other brands in the 1960s.
In 1975, Armani and Sergio Galeotti, his partner, sold their shared car to fund the launch of their first menswear collection. A women’s line quickly followed, launching the brand into international acclaim.
Armani’s tailored menswear featured prominently in the 1980 film “American Gigolo” starring Richard Gere, sealing his reputation as the designer who revolutionized red-carpet and celebrity fashion. His minimalist and unstructured style redefined elegance for both men and women, with Time magazine featuring him on its cover in the early 1980s.
Over the decades, Armani introduced luxury lines such as Emporio Armani (1981), Armani Jeans, Armani Exchange, and the haute couture Armani Privé. His company remained fiercely independent and expanded to include perfumes, hotels, accessories, and even electronics collaborations.
Armani was an ethical pioneer, banning underweight models and broadcasting fashion shows live online—firsts in the industry. He designed stage outfits for artists like Lady Gaga and Olympics uniforms, further cementing his versatility.
Throughout his career, Armani received multiple honorary degrees and awards—including recognitions from the Royal College of Art in London and the Guggenheim Museum in New York, which held a major retrospective of his work in 2000-01.
Armani celebrated his 90th birthday in July 2024, hosted a major show in New York that fall, and marked 20 years of Armani Privé in January 2025. He missed his first-ever runway show due to illness earlier this year but continued to work and plan for the brand’s 50th anniversary.
Armani’s legacy is built on independence, emotional rigor, and redefining modern elegance. Employees and family pledge to honor these principles, continuing the work and vision that Armani instilled throughout the company’s five decades.
Armani is remembered not only for transforming the way people dress but for his deep connection to Milan, philanthropic efforts, and his extraordinary ability to anticipate and adapt to cultural shifts—making him a beloved and respected figure worldwide.
