Italian designer Giorgio Armani, founder and owner of the Armani fashion brand, passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday, his fashion house confirmed. "With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani," the fashion house said in a statement.
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Credits: Instagram/giorgioarmani
According to Reuters, Armani had been unwell for some time and missed his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June, marking the first time in his career when he skipped a catwalk event.
In the late 1970s, Armani introduced Italian ready-to-wear style to the global stage with an unlined jacket, simple pants, and an urban colour palette. He created a relaxed silhouette that became instantly recognisable and has driven the fashion house’s success for the past 50 years.
Armani broke into Hollywood with American Gigolo and later dominated the red carpets, adding aspiration and sex appeal to his brand. By the way, Julia Roberts in Armani suit at the 1990 Golden Globes is unforgettable!
Hollywood to power suits: Giorgio Armani’s legacy on the rise
Paramount Pictures
Armani’s big break came in 1980 when he dressed Richard Gere in American Gigolo. His power suits became symbols of confidence and success, worn by business leaders and Hollywood stars. He deepened his Hollywood ties by opening a Los Angeles office in 1983, making him one of the first designers to use celebrity dressing as a smart branding strategy.
Armani didn’t stop at clothing. Under his leadership, the fashion house grew into a lifestyle empire. The group added Armani accessories, Armani perfumes, Armani cosmetics, Armani furnishings, Armani restaurants, and Armani hotels.
Armani Hotels
He also launched sub-brands like Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, Armani Privé, and Armani Casa. Some came with lower price tags, allowing him to move beyond the world of haute couture and reach a wider audience.
In 2010, the fashion designer opened the Armani Hotel in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. He personally designed the interiors, leaving his mark on every detail.
Giorgio Armani: The man behind the brand
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Despite his fame, Armani stayed intensely private and demanded the highest standards. In 2016, he created a foundation to secure the group’s future, outlining succession plans that included charitable projects and the option of a stock market listing or sale.
The business remained a family affair. His sister Rosanna sat on the board, while his nieces Silvana and Roberta played key roles — Silvana led womenswear design, and Roberta managed VIP and celebrity relations. His nephew, Andrea Camerana, oversaw sustainability initiatives.
Controversies of Giorgio Armani
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In the five decades of his career, Armani attracted a lot of controversy. In the 1990s, an Italian court gave him a suspended sentence in a bribery case involving tax officials.
In 2024, Italian authorities placed Giorgio Armani Operations, part of the group, under judicial watch after investigators uncovered subcontracted factories employing undocumented Chinese workers in unsafe conditions.
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The scrutiny deepened in August 2025 when Italy’s antitrust regulator fined the Armani Group €3.5 million (Rs. 36 crore). Regulators accused the brand of misleading customers with claims about its ethical and socially responsible supply chain, while subcontracted workers endured illegal practices and unsafe environments.
Giorgio Armani reshaped fashion by blending elegance with ease, creating styles that spoke to both Hollywood glamour and everyday sophistication. He built one of the world’s most influential fashion empires, expanding beyond clothes to define a lifestyle.
For admirers, Armani will be remembered as the man who put Italian ready-to-wear on the global map and gave power suits their timeless edge.
Social and lead image Credits: Instagram/giorgioarmani
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