The Giorgio Armani brand has today announced that the eponymous designer founder has died at the age of 91.
The creative genius, who remained the creative director and CEO of his eponymous luxury brand, the Armani Group, right up until his death, founded the company in 1975. In the 80s, his designs, synonymous with pristine tailoring and timeless elegance, reached world domination, with looks he created for the film American Gigolo and the TV series Miami Vice.
© Getty ImagesHe launched the industry-adored Armani Beauty brand in 2000, focusing on natural-look, flawless skin, which the website describes as the same "foundation of the Giorgio Armani fashion collections."
After dressing Richard Gere in American Gigolo, his tailored suits with a softer edge redefined power dressing and catapulted him into the public eye, from showbiz to the business world. He was also recognised as one of the first designers to capitalise on using celebrities to strategically display his designs.
© AFP via Getty ImagesFast-forward to 2025, and the Armani group now includes accessories, perfumes, restaurants, hotels, cosmetics and furnishings - the true definition of a powerhouse.
The company shared a press release about his death saying: "With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani."
"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. Over the years, Giorgio Armani has crafted a vision that expanded from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and pragmatism."
© GettyIt continued: "He has been driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people. Along this journey, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to connect with everyone. Always mindful of the needs of the community, he has been active on many fronts, especially in support of his beloved Milan. Giorgio Armani is a company with fifty years of history, built with emotion and patience. Giorgio Armani always made independence - of thought and action - his hallmark."
"The company is, now and always, a reflection of this spirit. His family and employees will carry the Group forward in respect and continuity of these values."
© GettyCelebrity tributes
Tributes to Giorgio have already started flooding in on social media. Victoria Beckham shared a photograph of the designer, explaining that she was proud to call him a friend. Donatella Versace also honoured her fellow designer by saying: "The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever," and actress Julia Roberts shared an image of the two of them, simply captioned: "A true friend. A legend [broken heart emoji."
© @victoiabeckhamLife and family
Born in the northern Italian town of Piacenza, Giorgio grew up alongside his older brother Sergio and younger sister Rosanna. Fashion wasn’t the designer's first port of call for his career; originally, he set out to study medicine in Milan. After three years, he left to join the army, but left after two years to become a window dresser at a department store. From there, he moved up in the business into menswear sales, soon after becoming a designer for Nino Cerruti. Over the course of his lifetime, he never had children of his own; however, the business, which he was the sole shareholder of, set up measures to ensure it was left in safe hands. Both his nieces, Silvana and Roberta, his sister Rosanna and his nephew, Andrea Camerana, are all heirs; his nieces and nephew are already senior members in the Armani group.
