Legendary Fashion Designer Giorgio Armani Dies at ...

Legendary Fashion Designer Giorgio Armani Dies at 91

Zim Now Writer

Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani, one of the most influential designers of the modern era, has died at the age of 91.

His company confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, surrounded by his family.

In a statement, the Armani Group expressed its grief, describing him as the “creator, founder, and tireless driving force” of the brand.

“Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects,” the statement read.

A public funeral chamber will be set up in Milan over the weekend, while a private ceremony will follow at a later date.

Armani had been absent from his Milan runway shows for the first time this June as he was recovering from an undisclosed illness.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of red-carpet fashion, Armani built a global empire worth more than £7.4 billion by the time of his death. Beyond clothing, his brand expanded into home furnishings, perfumes, publishing, flowers, bars, clubs, and restaurants.

He was also the owner of the basketball team EA7 Armani Milan, better known as Olympia Milano.

Armani rose to prominence in the late 1970s with the creation of the now-iconic ‘Armani suit,’ which redefined men’s ready-to-wear fashion.

In the 1980s, he extended his influence to women’s fashion by introducing the power suit, a style that became synonymous with ambition and independence.

Often referred to as Re Giorgio (King Giorgio), Armani’s influence stretched beyond the fashion industry. He worked on several acclaimed films, most notably designing Richard Gere’s wardrobe in the 1980 classic American Gigolo.

Over the decades, he developed close collaborations with Hollywood stars including Gere, Lauren Hutton, and Robert De Niro, cementing his role as the designer of choice for both cinema and the red carpet.

Armani had been preparing for a major celebration this month during Milan Fashion Week to mark 50 years of his brand, a milestone that now stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.