AsianFin -- Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer who defined modern elegance and built one of the world’s most successful fashion empires, has died at the age of 91, the Armani Group announced Thursday.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the luxury brand said in a statement posted on Instagram. The company noted that Armani passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
“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 statement said.
Known universally as “Armani” among employees, collaborators, and admirers, the designer was revered for his enduring influence on global fashion. His sleek, understated tailoring helped define a new era of power dressing in the 1980s, favored by Hollywood stars, business leaders, and politicians alike.
Armani combined the creativity of a designer with the precision of a businessman, carefully steering his Milan-based group to international prominence. Under his leadership, the privately held Armani Group grew into a diversified luxury powerhouse spanning fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and home goods, with annual revenues of around €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion), according to Reuters.
Born in Piacenza in northern Italy in 1934, Armani initially trained in medicine before moving into window dressing and eventually fashion design. His breakthrough came in the 1970s, when his soft-shouldered, clean-lined jackets revolutionized menswear and redefined women’s suiting. By the 1980s, Armani had become a global name, dressing Hollywood actors both on-screen and off, including in films like American Gigolo and The Untouchables.
Beyond fashion, Armani became a cultural symbol of modern Italian style and ambition. His empire expanded across the globe, from flagship stores in New York and Tokyo to high-end hotels in Dubai and Milan.
Despite his international fame, Armani remained deeply connected to Italy, often emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and local production. Unlike many of his peers, he kept his company privately owned, giving him unmatched control over the brand’s creative and financial direction.
Tributes are expected to pour in from across the fashion industry, where Armani’s name has long been synonymous with timeless sophistication.
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