Giorgio Armani, legendary fashion icon dies at 91
Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian fashion designer and founder of one of the world’s most influential style houses, has died peacefully at age 91.
Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian fashion designer and founder of one of the world’s most influential style houses, has died peacefully at age 91, confirmed by the Armani Group. His empire, built over five decades, reshaped modern fashion and elevated the global standing of Italian design.
A Legacy of Understated Sophistication
Armani’s career was anchored in a vision of effortless elegance. He pioneered the unstructured jacket—soft, unlined, and wearable—a revolutionary departure from the formal tailoring of the time, which defined a new silhouette both in menswear and womenswear.
His designs quickly became staples of red carpet glamour, sealing his reputation as the go-to stylist for Hollywood’s elite. Beyond clothing, his influence expanded into accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, hospitality, and more, cementing the Armani brand as a vast, vertically integrated luxury empire valued at over $10 billion.
A Life of Dedication and Independence
Armani remained remarkably hands-on and independent throughout his career. He worked actively until his final days and maintained full ownership of his company—a rare feat in the fashion industry.
Earlier this year, his absence at Milan Fashion Week—due to recovery from an undisclosed illness—marked the first time he ever missed his brand’s show. He had been preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his fashion house during that event.
From Modest Beginnings to Global Impact
Giorgio Armani was born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy. He initially aspired to study medicine, but after abandoning university, he ventured into fashion via a department store job at La Rinascente in Milan. He later refined his craft under designer Nino Cerruti before launching his own label in 1975.
Together with his partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani sold his Volkswagen Beetle to fund the startup of their menswear label. A year later, womenswear followed, and the brand was born.
Enduring Influence and Philanthropy
Armani was more than a fashion titan—he was a cultural icon. He dressed icons from Richard Gere in American Gigolo to generations of celebrities, embedding his refined aesthetic into the very fabric of popular culture.
He also nurtured a legacy of philanthropy: supporting children’s causes and AIDS awareness, and serving as a UN goodwill ambassador. His business interests extended beyond fashion into restaurants, nightlife, hospitality, and even sports, as owner of the EA7 Emporio Armani Milan basketball team.
Farewell to a Visionary
Giorgio Armani’s passing marks the end of an era. Yet his influence endures—in every softly tailored jacket, in every understated evening gown, and in the refined simplicity that came to define modern luxury. As his company and admirers around the world honor his memory, the legacy he built—elegant, independent, and timeless—remains firmly at the heart of fashion.
culled from yahoo.com
