Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer whose soft tailoring and timeless sensibility reshaped global fashion, passed away peacefully in Milan on September 4, 2025, at age 91. Today, we reflect on the legacy of a quiet visionary who changed how the world dresses.
FROM MEDICINE TO A FASHION EMPIRE
Armani’s story began with unexpected turns. Born in Piacenza in 1934, he initially pursued a career in medicine at the University of Milan before pivoting toward design. After a stint in military service, he joined the Milanese department store La Rinascente, where he worked as a window dresser and menswear buyer. By the 1960s, he was designing for Nino Cerruti, laying the foundation for what would become a legendary fashion career.
REINVENTING POWER DRESSING WITH EASE
In 1975, Armani founded his eponymous label alongside his partner, Sergio Galeotti. He revolutionised suiting by introducing relaxed tailoring, unstructured, fluid silhouettes that redefined elegance. His designs featured prominently in the film American Gigolo (1980), marking the start of his long-standing influence on Hollywood and red carpet fashion.
Armani’s aesthetic, minimal yet authoritative, became a template for luxury. He designed wardrobes for icons like Diane Keaton, Princess Diana, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga, weaving classic style with modern identity. Industry peers Ralph Lauren and Donatella Versace have paid tribute, underscoring the respect he earned across the fashion world.
AN EMPIRE OF QUITE DESIGN
Armani was among the last major designers to retain full independence over his brand. From Armani Privé haute couture to Emporio Armani, Armani Casa, luxury hotels, beauty lines, and fine dining, his empire reflected his dedication to craftsmanship and consistency. At the time of his passing, his company was valued at over $12 billion.
His approach to luxury, which feels lived-in, strikes a balance between refinement and relevance. Even late in life, he remained active behind the scenes, managing creative direction and shaping the brand’s future through strategic succession planning.
A LEGACY WITHOUT ARTIFICE
Armani once described fashion as “a serious job and a wonderful one,” and he lived by that ethos. His greatest accomplishment may be fashion’s return to purposeful elegance that trusts its quiet power over spectacle.
Giorgio Armani’s passing marks the close of an era, but his influence endures. He reshaped how modern taste meets craftsmanship, showing us that style can be confident without being loud. As the fashion world mourns a true master, his legacy remains in the enduring integrity of his designs and the atmosphere they continue to inspire.
Written By: Linh Giang Nguyen
Published on: 5th September 2025