Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer whose vision redefined modern elegance, died on September 4, 2025, at his home in Milan. He was 91.
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani didn’t initially set out to become a designer. He studied medicine before pivoting to fashion, a move that would quietly transform the global style landscape. In 1975, he launched his namesake label — a brand that would become synonymous with understated luxury and effortless sophistication.
Armani’s approach to tailoring broke with tradition. He introduced relaxed silhouettes that softened the formality of menswear and offered women sleek, empowering alternatives to conventional fashion. His designs became international talking points after Richard Gere wore Armani in the 1980 film American Gigolo, cementing the brand’s Hollywood status.
Throughout his career, Armani maintained a rare level of independence in an industry increasingly dominated by conglomerates. He retained control of his company, overseeing its expansion into ready-to-wear, haute couture, home decor, beauty, hospitality, and more. From Emporio Armani to Armani Privé, from fragrances to luxury hotel, he built an empire — one estimated to be worth over $12 billion.
But Armani’s influence extended beyond the business. Known for his precision, discipline, and quiet intensity, he became a symbol of refined Italian style. Tributes following his death poured in from across the globe. Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Donatella Versace all remembered him as a visionary. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as “a symbol of Italian excellence.”
Fans, fashion houses, and public figures shared memories and photographs across social media, honoring the man who helped define red carpet glamour and executive chic alike.
Armani never married and had no children. Control of the company will pass to his sister, nieces, nephew, and longtime collaborator Pantaleo Dell’Orco. A public tribute is scheduled for September 6–7 at the Armani/Teatro in Milan, with a private funeral to follow.
His legacy is one of quiet power — clothes that didn’t scream for attention but commanded it nonetheless. He proved that style doesn’t require extravagance, only vision. Giorgio Armani didn’t just shape how the world dresses; he influenced how it carries itself.
Though he is gone, the world he created endures.