Italian fashion genius Giorgio Armani dies at 91
Giorgio Armani, the renowned Italian fashion designer, died on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at his home in Milan at the age of 91.
His death was announced by his company, the Armani Group, which stated he had been working “until his final days”.
Armani, often referred to as “King Giorgio” in the Italian media, was a pivotal figure who revolutionized fashion twice in his lifetime. He was celebrated for his concept of understated elegance, which he transformed into a multi-billion-dollar empire.
His initial breakthrough came from softening the internal structure of men’s suits, removing shoulder pads and canvas linings to create a more relaxed and sensual silhouette. This “new male uniform” of the early 1980s quickly gained favor among women, leading to the creation of the “power suit” – a feminized suit that offered an alternative form of power dressing for professional women entering the workforce.
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Armani’s influence extended significantly into Hollywood, where he became synonymous with red-carpet dressing. He was among the first designers to actively court movie stars, establishing a corporate presence in Hollywood to cater to their sartorial needs. This alliance with celebrities, such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, and many others, cemented his brand’s global recognition. The 1980 film American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere, is often credited with introducing Armani’s designs to a mainstream public, despite debate over whether Gere actually wore Armani on screen. His designs also appeared in over 200 films, including The Untouchables and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Beyond fashion, Armani was an instinctive and shrewd industrialist. His empire diversified into multiple clothing lines, fragrances, cosmetics, shoes, watches, jewelry, hotels, restaurants, and even uniforms for Alitalia flight attendants and soccer teams. At the time of his death, his fortune was estimated at $11.5 billion, making him one of Italy’s wealthiest individuals. The Armani Group posted revenues of $2.65 billion in 2023.
Born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, Armani initially pursued a career in medicine before a temporary job at the Milan department store La Rinascente in 1957 exposed him to fashion. He founded his company and label in 1975 with his partner, Sergio Galeotti. Galeotti’s death in 1985 from complications of AIDS was a significant personal and professional challenge for Armani, who then took on the business side of the company.
Armani maintained a firm grip on his empire and collections until the end, famously stating, “As long as I am here, I am the boss”. He had been reluctant to discuss succession but had announced a foundation as a tool to prevent his businesses from being split up. Longtime collaborator Leo Dell’Orco and his nieces Silvana and Roberta Armani are expected to play key roles in the company’s future.
Tributes poured in from across the globe, with figures like Donatella Versace, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren, Julia Roberts, and Martin Scorsese remembering him as a “giant,” “master of his craft,” “visionary,” and “true artist”. A public viewing was held at the Armani Teatro in Milan, where thousands paid their respects. His private funeral was held in his family tomb in Piacenza, the provincial town where he was born.
