Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani has passed away at the age of 91, the Armani Group announced on Thursday. Across his decades-long career, Armani was celebrated for shaping a distinctly Italian style and redefining Hollywood red carpet fashion. He stood as a global symbol of understated luxury and timeless elegance.
Early life and rise in fashion
Born in 1934 in Piacenza, northern Italy, Armani initially pursued medicine before serving in the military. His entry into fashion came in 1957 when he worked as a window dresser at Milan’s La Rinascente department store. By 1964, he had risen to become a buyer at La Rinascente, where designer Nino Cerruti soon invited him to design menswear.
It was during this period that Armani met architect Sergio Galeotti, who became both his partner and closest collaborator. Encouraged by Galeotti, Armani co-founded the Giorgio Armani brand in 1975. After Galeotti’s death from AIDS in 1985, Armani became the company’s sole shareholder.
Transforming Hollywood and beyond
Armani’s sleek tailoring quickly caught Hollywood’s attention. His designs reached iconic status when Richard Gere wore an Armani suit in the 1980 film American Gigolo, cementing the brand’s image as a symbol of sophistication and power. In the years that followed, stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster, Sean Connery, and Tina Turner were regularly seen in his creations, turning the red carpet into a stage for global brand promotion.
Expansion of the Armani empire
The brand’s influence spread far beyond haute couture. Armani introduced offshoots including Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Exchange, and even expanded into interiors with Armani/Casa. In 2011, the Armani Hotel opened inside Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, further diversifying his legacy. A passionate sports fan, Armani purchased Italy’s most successful basketball team, Olimpia Milano, in 2008. He also designed Italy’s Olympic uniforms for the London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo Games between 2012 and 2020.
A billionaire and global LGBTQ+ icon
The Armani Group ranks among the world’s most valuable fashion houses, with a brand valuation of $2.1 billion in 2024. With an estimated net worth of more than US$12 billion, Giorgio Armani was the richest queer person. Other leading openly LGBTQ+ figures in business and fashion include Peter Thiel, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
