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The fashion industry around the world is mourning the death of the legendary Italian designer Giorgio Armani. The leadership executive, the legendary billionaire whose name became the synonym of eternal beauty and crafted diplomacy, died at the age of 91. His death is the death of Italian design and world luxury fashion.
The report was confirmed through a statement on the official Instagram page of the brand, according to which Armani worked to the end of his days, devoting himself to the enterprise, the collections and the numerous unfinished projects of the future. It spoke of him as indomitable to the last, a man of insatiable curiosity and great concern about the present, and people.
Armani was Italian style and he single-handedly re-defined and re-modeled the women and men suit to a modern audience. What began as a luxurious fashion label in 1975, with his now dead partner Sergio Galeotti, has expanded to an empire that has created beauty, fragrance, music, sport and luxury hotels, and generates approximately PS2 billion every year.
It is an indication of his titanic influence that tributes have been piled upon him by the world of fashion, the world of film, and the world of politics alike. Designer Donatella Versace published a very emotional post on Instagram, saying that the world may lose a giant today, he left footprint and will be remembered forever.
One of the pioneer of Red Carpet and Runway.
Thanks to Giorgio Armani, the fashion of red carpet is considered to be a cultural phenomenon nowadays. An unwavering supporter of Hollywood, he knew how strong a celebrity could be and clothed some of the biggest ones to attend such important occasions as Oscars. Zendaya, Cate Blanchett and Julia Roberts are his clients, and they posted a photo with the designer on Instagram, referring to him as a true friend. A legend.”
He not only had an impact on the red carpet, but also designed stage outfits with Lady Gaga and produced iconic costumes in movies such as American Gigolo and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Armani also became an early proponent of model welfare. He was the first major designer to prohibit underweight models on his runways, a historic industry move in 2006 after one model, Ana Carolina Reston, died of anorexia nervosa.
An Indomitable Work Ethic to the End.
Armani never lost his creative momentum even in his own tenth decade. He still offered new collections on the catwalks in France and Italy. He made his last runway appearance in January 2025, accompanied by Latvian model Agnes Zogla, and a politically charged show in March 2025, when he said he wanted to imagine new harmony in the world.
This was first raised when he failed to attend Milan Fashion Week in June 2024 due to concerns over his health. His final significant professional appointment was the directorship of a couture show in Paris in July 2025 that he conducted remotely at home in Milan.
British designer Paul Smith recalled him as a dear friend, and spoke of his constancy, his earthiness and his endurance. Smith continued by saying that he has been the greatest contributor to strength and creativity over many years.
Actor Russell Crowe told Armani that he made a mark that is recognised worldwide, and that he was supposed to see him this month, and that the designer had been there on so many major occasions throughout my life.
A Thread of Legacy Begs to be woven into Fashion.
Armani did not follow a normal road to fashion immortality. He first trained as a doctor and then ventured into the fashion business in the 60s. Based on elegant lines and impeccable tailoring, his classic style guaranteed the survival of his brand.
According to Laura Ingham of Vogue, you will know Giorgio Armani even if you do not know anything about fashion. Mr. Armani created a home that is synonymous to and that will always be associated with the eternal Italian beauty and long life: his legacy is embedded not into fashions of yesterday and today but into the fashions of tomorrow too.
Outside the atelier, Armani was a devoted soccer fan, both of Inter Milan football club in Serie A and Olimpia Milano basketball team. His brand partnered with Scuderia Ferrari F1 to have driver Charles Leclerc share a post, saying it was a great honour to have had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with such an incredible person.
He was given the Legion of Honour in France and the Order of Merit in Italy in recognition of his work.
Although his career had its share of controversies, such as the financial settlement in 2014 with the tax authorities in Italy and the controversial remarks that he made in 2015, his undeniable contribution is one of revolutionary design and unrelenting commitment to his profession.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni gave a last, appropriate eulogy: With his grace, sobriety, imagination, he could shed light into Italian fashion, and he could dazzle the whole world. A hero, a hard-driving laborer, an epitome of Italy. Thank you for everything.”
His family and the international empire that carries his name are the legacies of a permanent monument of style, Giorgio Armani.
