Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer whose name became synonymous with timeless elegance and modern tailoring, has died at the age of 91. His company confirmed the news on Sunday, describing him as “indefatigable to the end” and still working on new collections and projects in his final days.
Armani, whose fashion empire grew into one of the world’s most influential luxury brands, redefined the way men and women dress. He was credited with relaxing the rigid lines of men’s tailoring and giving women sleek, powerful suits that became a symbol of confidence and independence in the 1980s.
A Life in Fashion and Beyond
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani built his fashion house into a global powerhouse that now spans clothing, fragrances, cosmetics, hotels and even sport. His company generates more than £2 billion annually and remains privately owned — a rarity among fashion giants.
While fashion was always at its heart, Armani’s reach extended well beyond the catwalk. He dressed stars such as Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and Zendaya for the Oscars, created stage outfits for Lady Gaga, and designed costumes for films including American Gigolo and The Wolf of Wall Street.
A Pioneer and Gentleman
Armani was seen as a pioneer throughout his career. He helped transform the red carpet into a global showcase, and in 2006 he became the first major designer to ban underweight models from his shows following the death of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston from anorexia.
In one of his final interviews, fashion critic Alexander Fury wrote in the Financial Times that Armani had given women “a uniform of suits just as radical as Chanel’s,” helping fuel the rise of professional women in the 1980s, while simultaneously “deconstructing traditional tailoring” for men in a way that changed how suits were made across the world.
Tributes to a Titan
Vogue’s Laura Ingham called him a “true gentleman” and a “titan of the industry.” She said: “If you don’t know anything about fashion, you’ll still know Giorgio Armani. Mr. Armani built a house synonymous with timeless Italian elegance and enduring style.”
She praised his signature style — refined silhouettes, immaculate tailoring, understated luxury — and said his influence will continue to shape fashion for generations.
Still Creating in His Final Years
Even in his tenth decade, Armani showed no sign of slowing down. His March 2025 runway show carried a political message, with the designer explaining that he wanted to “imagine new harmony” in a fractured world.
That dedication to relevance and reinvention was reflected in the tribute posted by his company on Instagram: “He worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects.”
Enduring Legacy
Few designers have left such a lasting imprint on both fashion and culture. Armani’s vision of style — elegant, confident and understated — helped define late 20th-century fashion and continues to influence it today.
His name, his brand, and his designs remain shorthand for Italian sophistication. His legacy, woven into red carpets, film screens and wardrobes around the world, will endure long after his passing.
