The world of fashion is mourning the loss of one of its greatest visionaries. Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer whose name became synonymous with elegance, innovation, and timeless style, passed away on September 4, 2025, in Milan at the age of 91.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Armani’s path to fashion was anything but conventional. He originally pursued medicine at the University of Milan before changing course, working briefly as a window dresser and later as a designer for Nino Cerruti in the 1960s. This pivot would eventually spark the rise of a global fashion empire.
Founding of the Armani Brand
In 1975, Armani co-founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A. with his close partner Sergio Galeotti. Starting with menswear, the brand quickly grew to include womenswear, winning praise for its soft, unstructured tailoring that redefined the power suit. Armani’s big break came in 1980, when he dressed Richard Gere in American Gigolo — a moment that catapulted his designs onto the international stage.
Building a Global Empire
From that point on, Armani never looked back. His label expanded into multiple lines:
• Emporio Armani (1981), a youthful diffusion line
• A|X Armani Exchange, making luxury accessible to a wider audience
• EA7, a performance sportswear line launched in 2004
• Armani Privé, his haute couture collection
• Armani/Casa, which extended his minimalist philosophy to interiors
He also ventured into hospitality, opening the Armani Hotels in Dubai (2010) and Milan (2011). In 2015, to mark four decades of success, he inaugurated the Armani/Silos museum in Milan, showcasing his archives and celebrating his lifelong contributions to fashion.
Style and Cultural Impact
Often nicknamed “Re Giorgio” — King Giorgio — Armani’s minimalist designs came to embody sophistication and power. His relaxed suits revolutionized how men dressed, while his women’s collections empowered a new generation of professionals. Hollywood embraced him wholeheartedly, with his clothes appearing in countless films and on red carpets worldwide.
Beyond fashion, he was also deeply involved in sports, owning and sponsoring Olimpia Milano basketball club and dressing athletes under his EA7 Emporio Armani brand.
Business Independence and Legacy Planning
Unlike many luxury houses that sold stakes to conglomerates, Armani insisted on independence. In 2016, he established the Giorgio Armani Foundation to secure the brand’s future and ensure it remained aligned with his values. Leadership is expected to continue under trusted family members and collaborators, including his sister Rosanna, nieces Silvana and Roberta, nephew Andrea Camerana, and longtime partner Pantaleo Dell’Orco.
Philanthropy
Armani was known not only for his style but also for his generosity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated millions of euros to hospitals across Italy and redirected parts of his production lines to manufacture medical gowns for frontline workers.
His Final Days and Farewell
Armani passed away peacefully in Milan, surrounded by loved ones. Tributes poured in from across the world, with celebrities, fashion insiders, and ordinary fans alike honoring his unmatched contribution to culture and design. His farewell included a private funeral and a public tribute at the Armani/Teatro in Milan, reflecting both his personal humility and his monumental global influence.
A Lasting Legacy
At the time of his death, Giorgio Armani’s personal fortune was estimated at nearly $12 billion, and his company continued to generate over €2.3 billion annually. Yet, more than numbers, his legacy rests on the countless lives he influenced through fashion, culture, and philanthropy.
As his own words and work have always reminded us, true style is eternal — and Giorgio Armani’s vision will live on in every sharply cut suit, every red-carpet gown, and every individual empowered by the elegance of simplicity.
