Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani dead at 91
Giorgio Armani, the fashion icon behind the Armani Group, has died aged 91.
In a statement, the Italian fashion house confirmed his passing: “Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.”
They continued: “Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.”
The legendary designer had been struggling with his health in recent months, which forced him to miss one of his own catwalk events at Milan Fashion Week for the first time in his career in June.
On September 6th and September 7th, a funeral chamber will be set up in Milan for mourners to honour his life and legacy. A private service will follow at a later date.
Taking to X, Italy’s President Giorgia Meloni has honoured Armani, writing, “Giorgio Armani leaves us at 91 years old. With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring luster to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.”
Alongside his friend, Sergio Galleotti, Armani founded the famous fashion house in Milan in 1975, and it grew to become a household name over the next decade, which has now become embedded in Italian culture.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Armani said of his legacy: “If what I created 50 years ago is still appreciated by an audience that wasn’t even born at the time, this is the ultimate reward.”
He also stated that he believes the Armani Group will continue to thrive following his death, sharing, “My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me, such as Leo Dell’Orco, the members of my family and the entire working team.”
