In a shocking news for the global fashion industry, iconic Italian fashion designer, Giorgio Armani has died at 91 due to age related illness. The news was announced by the Armani Group, mentioning that the funeral chamber of the stalwart will be set up from September 6 to September 7 in Milan at Via Bergognone 59, inside the Armani/Teatro.
“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,” says the brand’s official statement adding, “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. 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.”
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Armani was facing health issues due to ageing and was earlier forced to drop out of his brand’s fashion shows at Milan Men’s Fashion Week in June this year. Until his demise, he was renowned for his hands-on approach, meticulously managing every facet of his collections and business and taking it to a $10 billion fashion empire.
About Georgio Armani
Giorgio Armani founded his eponymous luxury fashion house in Milan in 1975. Over the next five decades, his brand became synonymous with relaxed yet sophisticated Italian designs for both menswear and womenswear. Armani gained widespread acclaim in the 1980s and 1990s for pioneering androgynous power suits marked by fluid, unstructured silhouettes that challenged the rigid tailoring norms of the time. His innovative approach established his brand as a symbol of timeless elegance and comfort. “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,” says the brand’s official statement.
Impact on cinema and red carpet
At 91, Giorgio Armani left behind an unparalleled legacy replete with iconic fashion moments, having dressed some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He made Julia Roberts stand stunning in an oversized Armani suit at the 1990 Golden Globes and later in his couture at the 2004 Oscars. George Clooney famously looked dashing in Armani at the 85th Academy Awards. Cate Blanchett stunned in a lavender Armani gown while winning Best Supporting Actress at the 2005 Academy Awards. Further, actor Richard Gere wore Armani’s costumes in the crime-thriller film ‘American Gigolo’ (1980), which catapulted the designer to fame.
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The list of celebrities donning Armani extends to Beyoncé, Anne Hathaway, Lady Gaga, and Victoria Beckham, who have all graced red carpet events like Oscars, Met Gala, Grammys, and more. His passing leaves a void, marking the end of an era of Italian elegance but influencing many in cinema, entertainment and luxury fashion world.
