The global fashion industry is in mourning following the death of Italian style icon and fashion mogul, Giorgio Armani, who passed away at the age of 91, surrounded by loved ones.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.
Widely regarded as the king of understated elegance, Armani launched his fashion house in Milan in 1975 and quickly rose to the pinnacle of global fashion, dressing countless Hollywood stars and redefining luxury for nearly five decades.
His funeral will be private, according to the Armani Group, but members of the public will be allowed to pay their respects at a funeral chamber in Milan over the weekend.
Affectionately called Il Signor Armani by colleagues and admirers, the designer was described as “indefatigable to the end,” with the company noting that he worked on collections and future projects until his final days.
Earlier this year, Armani had cancelled his menswear show in Milan due to health concerns and also missed his Paris Armani Privé show in July for the first time in 20 years, though he continued to oversee the production remotely.
Credited with inventing red-carpet fashion, Armani expanded his influence beyond haute couture with the launch of Emporio Armani, affordable luxury lines, and ventures into hospitality with luxury hotels.
His passing comes just weeks before celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of his fashion house.
Italy’s Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, paid tribute to Armani as “a leading figure in Italian culture, who transformed elegance into a universal language.”
“His understated and innovative style redefined the relationship between fashion, cinema, and society, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary culture,” Giuli said.
Armani is remembered not only as a fashion legend but also as a cultural ambassador of Italian identity, leaving behind a timeless legacy of style and sophistication.
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