Armani dies at 91
Giorgio Armani was born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy. Though he first pursued medicine at the University of Milan, his path took a sharp turn after military service. A chance role as a window dresser at La Rinascente awakened a deep passion for style, setting him on a course that would transform the world of fashion. By the 1960s, Armani was honing his craft at Nino Cerruti’s atelier, where his signature refined aesthetic began to crystallize.
In 1975, alongside his trusted collaborator Sergio Galeotti, Armani founded his own label. The debut menswear line was an immediate triumph, soon followed by his first women’s collection. With sleek, deconstructed tailoring and a muted palette, he reimagined luxury—introducing unlined jackets and the iconic “power suit” that forever changed how men and women approached elegance.
His designs quickly caught Hollywood’s eye. Featured in American Gigolo (1980) and Miami Vice, Armani became the name synonymous with understated glamour on and off the screen. From there, he built a global empire spanning fashion, fragrance, home, hospitality, and more—remarkably, while keeping his brand under independent ownership.
Until his final days, Armani remained hands-on and devoted to his craft. On September 4, 2025, he passed away at his home in Milan at the age of 91, surrounded by loved ones. At the time, his fortune was valued at over $12 billion, cementing him not only as one of fashion’s wealthiest figures but also as one of its most enduring visionaries.
Tributes poured in worldwide. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised him as “a symbol of the best of Italy,” while the fashion industry mourned “King Giorgio,” the man who redefined modern dressing with timeless elegance.
In keeping with his wishes, a public tribute will be held at Armani/Teatro in Milan, followed by a private ceremony. His legacy now continues through his family—nieces Silvana and Roberta, nephew Andrea Camerana—and his longtime collaborator Pantaleo Dell’Orco, who will carry forward the vision of the house that Armani built from ground up.
