Giorgio Armani: The Eternal Maestro of Italian Elegance Has Passed Away At The Age Of 91
The Italian fashion designer passed away on September 4, surrounded by loved ones and leaving a peerless legacy
There are few names in fashion that transcend time, geography, and the restless tides of trends for half a century. Giorgio Armani was one of them. With his passing announced today at the age of 91, Milan – and indeed the global industry – has lost not just a figurehead of a major maison, but one of the founding fathers of contemporary Italian style. Giorgio was a designer that built his own business from the ground up, first founding his eponymous label in 1975, and quietly redefining the way we dress ever since.
In a statement released by his company and family, he was affectionately referred to as Il Signor Armani, and the reverence is fitting – the designer remained intimately involved in every element of the business, entirely devoted to both its creativity, and commercial success.
“Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication,” read the statement released by Armani Group. “But it is precisely in his spirit that we commit to protecting what he built and carrying his company forward, with respect, responsibility, and love.”
Over the last five decades, Armani’s vision stretched far beyond the atelier. He built not just collections, but a universe: a matrix that touched architecture, interiors, cinema, sport. Each collection felt like cohesive mood rather than a series of individual looks, but always centred on pure lines, fluid movement, and simplicity of silhouette.
From September 6 to 7, the public will be able to pay their respects at the Armani/Teatro in Via Bergognone, Milan, a fitting stage for a man whose career was one long, masterful performance. True to his wishes, his funeral will remain a private affair for friends and family.
Lead image from the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2024 Issue
