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Giorgio Armani, Legendary Italian Fashion Designer, Dies at 91

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91, the Armani Group confirmed on Thursday. Revered as one of the most influential designers of the 20th and 21st centuries, Armani was celebrated for redefining Italian elegance and shaping red carpet glamour in Hollywood. “Il Signor Armani, as he was respectfully called by colleagues and employees, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the Armani Group said in a statement, remembering him as “a tireless driving force” behind the brand.

A Pioneer of Modern Elegance

Born in 1934 in Piacenza, Italy, Armani initially pursued medicine before transitioning into fashion. His career began in 1957 as a window dresser at Milan’s famed La Rinascente department store. By 1964, designer Nino Cerruti gave Armani his first role in menswear design, where he mastered the concept of the unstructured jacket — a silhouette that would become his signature. In 1975, Armani co-founded his namesake label with architect and partner Sergio Galeotti. Their first menswear collection debuted to acclaim, soon expanding into womenswear with an androgynous twist that challenged fashion norms.

Global Influence and Hollywood Legacy

Armani’s sleek tailoring and minimalist style became synonymous with modern sophistication. His designs graced stars from Richard Gere in American Gigolo to countless red-carpet icons, elevating fashion’s role in cinema and celebrity culture. Unlike many fashion houses absorbed by conglomerates such as LVMH or Kering, Armani remained the sole shareholder of his empire, valued between €8–10 billion in 2024.

Recent Years and Final Legacy

In June 2025, Armani missed his first-ever runway bow at Milan Men’s Fashion Week due to health reasons, sparking concern among fans. Still, celebrations for his 50th year in business were set to continue this month with a retrospective exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera and a runway show at Palazzo Brera. In one of his last interviews with the Financial Times in August, Armani reflected on his lifelong dedication to fashion: “My only regret in life was spending too many hours working and not enough time with friends and family.” As the fashion world mourns his passing, Giorgio Armani’s influence endures — not only in the timeless clothes he created but in the way he elevated Italian style to global prominence.