Giorgio Armani, Italian Fashion Icon, Dies at 91

Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani has died at 91. Born in Piacenza in 1934, he founded the Milan-based luxury brand Armani in 1975, gaining worldwide fame for his elegant, comfortable designs. His fashion empire, worth over $10 billion, made him one of the world’s top billionaires. Tributes poured in from fashion leaders, Italian officials, and cultural institutions, praising his creativity, influence, and lasting legacy.

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91, his company confirmed on Thursday. Born in 1934 in Piacenza, in northern Italy's Emilia region, Armani moved to Milan after World War II and went on to establish the Milan-based luxury fashion house that bears his name in 1975, alongside his business partner Sergio Galeotti, who passed away in 1985.

Armani became globally renowned for his signature suits, which combined comfort with elegance, and for redefining modern fashion with understated sophistication. The fashion house announced that Armani died at his home, surrounded by loved ones.

Over the decades, Armani grew his company into a global luxury powerhouse, generating approximately €2.3 billion in revenue in 2024. As the sole major shareholder without children to inherit the business, he maintained full control of his fashion empire, which is valued at over $10 billion (more than €8.59 billion), placing him among the world’s top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes. In 2024, Armani told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera that he had no plans to retire immediately and hoped to continue leading his company for a few more years.

Tributes poured in from the fashion world and beyond. Donatella Versace, designer and board member of the Versace fashion house, expressed her sorrow, saying, "The world has lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever." Remo Ruffini, billionaire CEO of Moncler, honored Armani with the words, "'Elegance is not about being noticed, it's about being remembered.' Thank you, Giorgio."

Armani’s employees and family issued a statement highlighting the profound impact of his passing. "In this company, we have always felt like part of a family. Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication," the statement read. "But it is precisely in his spirit that we, the employees and the family members who have always worked alongside Mr. Armani, commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love."

Venice’s famed opera house, Teatro La Fenice, paid homage to the "maestro" of Italian fashion. "Giorgio Armani is not just a name but a universal language of elegance, sobriety, and creative strength. An icon who has redefined fashion and will continue to inspire generations. May the earth be light upon you, maestro."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Armani’s creativity and elegance, calling him "an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy." She added, "With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring luster to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. Thank you for everything."

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also paid tribute, saying, "Giorgio Armani has passed away, a timeless talent and Made in Italy ambassador in the world. A visionary of fashion, a refined interpreter of the elegance and beauty of our country. His is an extraordinary success story. Today we embrace his family, grateful for the extraordinary style he has given to Italy and the world."

Armani’s death marks the end of an era in fashion, leaving a lasting legacy through his innovative designs, global influence, and enduring contributions to Italian culture and style.