Farewell to Giorgio Armani The fashion world mourns the loss of a timeless icon

Today, in an official statement, the Armani Group announced the passing of its founder and historic creative director, Giorgio Armani. King Giorgio, as he was affectionately nicknamed in fashion circles, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. As always, even during periods of illness, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections we will see next month, and the numerous projects that have rewritten the history of Italian fashion and Made in Italy worldwide. His brand expanded into every sector of the market, bringing the principles of his aesthetic and his uncompromising pursuit of excellence from fashion to interior design, architecture, hospitality, lifestyle, and dining.

Born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Giorgio Armani marked an era with his visionary talent and dedication to beauty. Raised in an Italy scarred by World War II, he moved to Milan in 1949, where he initially pursued medical studies at the University of Milan, which he abandoned after three years for military service. A chance encounter with the world of fashion changed the course of his life. After working as a window dresser and salesman at La Rinascente, in 1965 he was hired by Nino Cerruti to redesign the fashion of the Hitman brand, marking the beginning of his rise in the fashion system. In 1974, the creation of the Armani by Sicons line convinced him to establish his own brand. Thus, in 1975, together with his life partner and business associate Sergio Galeotti, he founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A., presenting his first prêt-à-porter collection at the prestigious Sala Bianca in Florence.

This was the beginning of an empire that would redefine global aesthetics, with his iconic deconstructed jackets, which eliminated padding and linings, revolutionizing menswear design and becoming an emblem of Italian style. Armani masterfully combined elegance and innovation, drawing inspiration from black-and-white cinema, the atmospheres of 1920s and 1930s America, and Eastern and Arab cultures. His style, characterized by clean cuts, cool tones like gray, beige, and the unmistakable “greige” (a shade between gray and sand), redefined the concept of luxury. The women’s tailored suit, boldly reimagined, and the Haute Couture line Armani Privé, which dressed stars like Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, and Renée Zellweger on the Oscars red carpet, solidified his role as a pioneer of red-carpet fashion. His vision extended beyond clothing, encompassing Parisian Haute Couture, as mentioned, perfumery, furniture with Armani/Casa, hospitality with Armani Hotels in Milan and Dubai, and even the food sector with Armani/Dolci. In 2008, Armani became the patron of the Olimpia Milano basketball team, sponsoring it with the EA7 - Emporio Armani brand, which also dressed the Italian national team at various Olympic Games.

Among the highlights of his career, the launch of Emporio Armani, aimed at a younger audience, the agreement with the Zegna Group for Armani Collezioni, the inauguration of Armani/Silos in Milan, an exhibition space celebrating his 40-year career, and his decision to hold a closed-door fashion show during the COVID-19 pandemic, converting factories to produce disposable gowns for healthcare workers. Beyond his creative genius, Giorgio Armani was a pioneer in social engagement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated substantial sums to Italian hospitals and converted his factories to produce disposable gowns. In 2022, he chose to present a fashion show without music in respect for the conflict in Ukraine, demonstrating a unique sensitivity to global issues. His devotion to Milan, the city that welcomed and consecrated him, was expressed through numerous projects, from Armani/Teatro to Armani/Silos, symbols of his bond with the fashion capital. Armani was also an ambassador of Italian style, receiving honors such as the title of Cavaliere di Gran Croce and the Golden Lion in Venice.

The news of Giorgio Armani’s passing has shaken the fashion world and beyond. The funeral parlor will be set up in Milan at Armani/Teatro on Via Bergognone 59 and will be open to visitors on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral, per Armani’s express wishes, will be held privately. Giorgio Armani was not merely the last designer but a visionary who connected with the public, anticipated trends, and created an aesthetic universe spanning fashion, design, cinema, and sports. His ability to blend simplicity with sophistication, innovation with tradition, made him a universal symbol of elegance. As he famously stated in an interview: “The essence of style is to find a simple way to express something complex.” The world mourns the loss of a genius, but his legacy will live on in his creations that have dressed generations and in the values he imparted. The Armani maison, under the guidance of his family and collaborators, will carry forward his dream, preserving an eternal legacy.