Giorgio Armani, Legendary Italian Fashion Designer, Dies at 91
Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian fashion designer who redefined modern style with his signature unstructured tailoring and built a global empire synonymous with understated elegance, passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. His death, announced by the Armani Group, marks the end of an era for the fashion world. Below is a comprehensive overview of Armani’s life, legacy, and the circumstances surrounding his passing, drawing on recent reports and tributes.
The Announcement and Circumstances
The Armani Group confirmed Giorgio Armani’s passing in a statement on September 4, 2025, noting that he died peacefully at his home in Milan, surrounded by loved ones. “With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the statement read, describing him as “Il Signor Armani” and emphasizing his relentless dedication, as he “worked until his final days” on collections and projects. The cause of death was confirmed as an age-related illness, with Armani having been unwell for some time, missing Milan Men’s Fashion Week in June 2025 for the first time in his career due to an undisclosed condition.
A public funeral chamber will be open at Milan’s Armani/Teatro on September 6 and 7, 2025, from 9 AM to 6 PM, allowing fans and the fashion community to pay respects, followed by a private funeral at an unspecified date. The timing of his death, just weeks before the 50th anniversary celebrations of his eponymous label, including a landmark exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera, adds a poignant note to his legacy.
Armani’s Life and Career: A Discreet Empire
Born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, Giorgio Armani initially pursued medicine at the University of Milan before switching to fashion in the 1950s. After stints as a window dresser at La Rinascente and a menswear designer under Nino Cerruti, he founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in 1975 with his partner Sergio Galeotti, reportedly using funds from selling his Volkswagen Beetle. His revolutionary approach—stripping away padding and rigid structures from men’s suits to create a relaxed, elegant silhouette—catapulted him to fame. By the 1980s, his designs, popularized through films like American Gigolo (1980), where Richard Gere wore Armani suits, became a symbol of modern sophistication.
Armani’s empire expanded beyond fashion into a lifestyle brand, encompassing Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Privé haute couture, Armani Casa interiors, luxury hotels (e.g., Armani Hotel Dubai), restaurants, and even a basketball team, Olimpia Milano. With a personal fortune estimated at $12.1 billion by Forbes, he was Italy’s second-richest man and the world’s richest queer person, maintaining sole ownership of his company, which generated €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) in annual turnover by 2023.
Known as “Re Giorgio” (King Giorgio), Armani pioneered red-carpet fashion, dressing stars like Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, and Richard Gere, and was the first to gift clothes to celebrities, a practice now standard in Hollywood. His minimalist, androgynous aesthetic—softening men’s suits and empowering women with tailored power suits—reshaped fashion, earning him accolades like the 1979 Neiman Marcus Award and the French Legion of Honour.
Tributes and Legacy
The fashion world mourned Armani’s loss, with tributes pouring in from industry giants and celebrities. Donatella Versace wrote on Instagram, “The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever.” Julia Roberts shared a photo with Armani, calling him “A true friend. A legend.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised his “elegance, sobriety, and creativity,” noting he was “a symbol of the best Italy.” Vogue’s Anna Wintour lauded his “clear force of personality” and ability to understand “power and attitude and elegance.”
Armani’s impact extended beyond design. He was the first designer to ban models with a BMI under 18 after the 2006 death of model Ana Carolina Reston from anorexia, and he broadcast his 2007 Armani Privé show live online, a haute couture first. His commitment to sustainability, seen in his 2011 Green Carpet Challenge with Livia Firth, further cemented his forward-thinking ethos.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his success, Armani faced criticism. Some labeled his designs repetitive, and in 2015, he sparked backlash by saying gay men “don’t need to dress homosexual,” a comment that drew ire but reflected his blunt style. His company also settled with Italian tax authorities in 2014 over offshore subsidiaries, admitting no wrongdoing, and faced scrutiny in 2024 for alleged use of illegal Chinese labor, leading to judicial administration.
The Future of the Armani Group
Armani’s death raises questions about his company’s future, as he remained CEO and sole shareholder. He established the Giorgio Armani Foundation in 2016 to safeguard the brand’s governance, with family members like nieces Silvana and Roberta Armani, nephew Andrea Camerana, and long-time collaborator Leo Dell’Orco expected to lead. In a 2023 Financial Times interview, Armani expressed concern about losing control post-death, saying, “My greatest fear is death, because it would mean relinquishing control of my label.” The company’s independence, resisting mergers with conglomerates like LVMH, remains a hallmark of his legacy.
Conclusion
Giorgio Armani’s death on September 4, 2025, at 91 due to an age-related illness closes a monumental chapter in fashion history. His revolutionary designs, from the unstructured suit to red-carpet glamour, and his discreet yet vast empire—spanning fashion, hotels, and lifestyle—made him a global icon. As tributes from Versace, Roberts, and Meloni underscore, Armani’s legacy of elegance and innovation will endure. Fans can pay respects at the Armani/Teatro on September 6–7, and the fashion world awaits the brand’s next steps as it navigates a future without “Re Giorgio.”