Celebrated Italian Fashion designer and billionaire Giorgio Armani died at the age of 91 years, because of an age-related illness, surrounded by his family members on Thursday, at his home.
In a statement, the Armani Group announced: “With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani”.
Giorgio Armani first gained recognition while working for the luxury fashion house, Cerruti 1881, after which he led the establishment of his own company, Armani in the year 1975. Armani later expanded into sport, music, luxury hotels, fragrance, beauty.
Giorgio Armani is regarded as the pioneer of red-carpet fashion and by the year 2001, he was considered as the most successful Italian origin designer. At present, his empire is valued at over $12.1 billion. Armani is acclaimed for his elegant and modern Italian style.
Armani was bestowed with the ‘Italian Order of Merit for Labour’ and the ‘French Legion of Honour’ for his contributions to the fashion industry.
Armani was also called as ‘King Giorgio’ or ‘Re Giorgio’ and exhibited the qualities of a designer cum businessman which earned the Armani Group more than around 2.3 billion euros a year, as per sources.
The Italian fashion designer was previously compelled for dropping out of the Armani Group shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in the month of June. This was the first time when he gave one of his catwalk events, a miss.
As per the Instagram page of the company, Armani has worked till his final days, dedicating himself fully to the company, the collections and the several future projects in progress.
Giorgio Armani is credited with creating confident clothing for women, that empowered the social revolution of the working woman in the 1980s and relaxing menswear that impacted the way every suit is crafted worldwide. He has dressed some of the biggest stars for Oscars which includes Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and others. He has also created designs for the stage outfits of Lady Gaga and films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, according to news sources.
Laura Ingham of Vogue describes Armani as a ‘titan of the industry’ and a ‘true gentleman’.
In July 2025, he remotely directed a couture show in Paris from his Milan home.
He was the owner of the Olimpia Milano basketball team and was a keen sports fan.
The fashion industry and the whole world mourns his death with great sorrow, paying a tribute to his legacy.
