Giorgio Armani, Fashion Icon and ‘King’ of Italian Style, Dies in Milan at 91
Milan – Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer who revolutionized fashion with his relaxed tailoring and timeless elegance, has died in Milan at the age of 91. The news marks the end of an era for the industry, leaving behind a legacy of sophisticated style and global brand recognition.
Armani rose to prominence in the 1970s, challenging the structured silhouettes of the time with fluid, deconstructed designs. he built a fashion empire encompassing ready-to-wear, couture, accessories, beauty, and home furnishings, becoming synonymous with understated luxury. His influence extended beyond clothing,shaping the aesthetic of Hollywood films and defining the modern professional wardrobe.
Throughout his career, Armani consistently sought innovative ways to present his collections. He launched his One Night Only extravaganza in 2006, showcasing his couture Privé collections in cities worldwide, including London, Tokyo, Beijing, Rome, New York, Paris, Dubai, and most recently, Venice in 2023.
In October of last year, Armani celebrated the opening of his company’s redesigned headquarters on Madison Avenue in New York, featuring residential units, an Armani/Ristorante, and new Giorgio Armani and Armani/Casa boutiques. He notably chose New York to unveil his spring 2025 collection, deviating from the conventional Milan Fashion Week schedule.
A testament to his enduring vision,Armani opened the Armani Silos exhibition space in 2015,marking his company’s 40th anniversary. The 48,600-square-foot building, a restored granary designed with input from Tadao Ando, showcased not only Armani’s designs but also photography exhibitions by artists like Larry Fink and Sarah Moon. He also established the Filmaking Workshop at Silos, offering aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to produce short films in partnership with directors such as Luca Guadagnino.Armani’s contributions to fashion and culture were widely recognized with numerous accolades,beginning with the Neiman Marcus fashion Award in 1979.He received two of Italy’s highest honors – the Commendatore dell’Ordine al merito della Repubblica and Grand’Ufficiale dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica – and also the CFDA’s Best International Designer and Lifetime Achievement Awards for both menswear and art and fashion. He was awarded an honorary degree from London’s Central Saint Martin’s College in 2006 and one in industrial design from the Politecnico of Milan. In 2008, French President Nicholas Sarkozy presented him with the Legion d’Honneur, and in 2019, WWD bestowed upon him the John B. Fairchild Honor award.
Beyond fashion, Armani dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations high Commission for Refugees. He was also honored on the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style in 2003.
