WEB DESK: Giorgio Armani, the renowned Italian fashion designer, has passed away at the age of 91, the Armani Group announced on Thursday.
Throughout his career, Armani was celebrated for creating a distinctly Italian style in his designs and elevating Hollywood’s red carpet fashion to new prominence.
“Il Signor Armani, as he was respectfully and affectionately called by colleagues and staff, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones,” the Armani Group stated, describing him as “an unstoppable force.”
A statement from the brand, issued on behalf of his family and team, expressed, “Our company has always felt like a family. Today, we mourn the loss of the visionary founder who nurtured and built this family with passion, dedication, and foresight. In his spirit, we, his colleagues and family, pledge to uphold his legacy and carry his vision forward with respect, responsibility, and love.”
In June 2025, Armani did not attend his usual appearance at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week show, marking the first time in his career he missed his own runway presentation. The company later explained that he was “recovering at home,” without revealing specific health details.
In the luxury fashion industry, dominated by conglomerates like LVMH (Louis Vuitton) and Kering (Gucci), Armani stood out as one of the few designers to retain full ownership of his company. As of 2024, the brand was valued at approximately 8 to 10 billion euros ($9.3 to $11.7 billion), according to Bloomberg Intelligence, with no clear successor in place.
To honor Armani’s 50 years in fashion, several celebrations are scheduled during Milan Fashion Week, including an exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera—the first dedicated to fashion at the museum—and a runway show at Palazzo Brera.
