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Giorgio Armani, visionary fashion icon, dies at 91
Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer who redefined menswear with his unstructured suits and built a global fashion empire, has passed away at the age of 91. The Armani Group confirmed his death on Thursday, stating he passed peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with infinite sorrow that the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house revealed in an official statement. The company highlighted that Armani worked relentlessly on his collections and projects until the very end.
Battling illness in his final days
Armani’s death follows months of health challenges that forced him to miss Milan Fashion Week for the first time in his 50-year career. In June, the designer was absent from the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear shows while recovering at home from an undisclosed illness. Italian media reported that he had been hospitalized for several days in Milan.
The designer, who celebrated his 91st birthday on July 11, assured fans in an open letter that he planned to return in September for Milan Fashion Week. He had envisioned a grand celebration of his brand’s 50th anniversary, including an exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera museum and a special runway show.
Building a fashion empire
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani initially studied medicine before discovering his passion for fashion while working as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a Milanese department store. In 1975, he founded his eponymous brand with partner Sergio Galeotti. According to legend, the pair sold their Volkswagen for $10,000 to finance the fledgling business.
Armani revolutionized menswear with his signature unlined jacket in the late 1970s. His relaxed, androgynous silhouettes challenged traditional tailoring and became a hallmark of 1980s “power dressing.” The 1980 film American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere in Armani suits, cemented the designer’s status as a Hollywood favorite.
A global legacy
At the time of his death, Armani presided over a $10 billion empire with over 9,000 employees and 600 stores worldwide. In 2024, the company generated approximately €2.3 billion in revenue. Beyond fashion, Armani’s ventures spanned hotels, restaurants, basketball teams, and even chocolates.
The Armani Group announced that a memorial chapel would be set up in Milan on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a private funeral. Regarding succession, Armani had previously expressed plans to entrust his legacy to trusted collaborators, including Leo Dell’Orco for menswear and his niece Silvana Armani for womenswear.