The world of fashion has lost one of its greatest icons. Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who defined modern elegance and shaped the way people understood style for nearly five decades, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. Armani’s company announced the news with deep sorrow, describing him as the “creator, founder, and tireless driving force” behind the Armani Group. His death marks the end of an extraordinary era in fashion, one that he built through patience, independence, and an unwavering commitment to simplicity and sophistication.
Armani was not just a designer but a cultural figure who changed how men and women dressed. He introduced a sense of understated elegance that came to be associated with Italian fashion globally. From red carpet gowns to the relaxed tailoring of his men’s suits, his work represented refinement without excess. His designs were favoured by Hollywood stars, world leaders, and everyday people who sought clothing that balanced beauty with comfort. With his passing, the fashion world mourns a man often referred to as “Re Giorgio” or “King Giorgio,” a title he earned through both respect and admiration.
Born in Piacenza, Italy, in 1934, Armani began his career not in fashion design but as a window dresser and buyer. His entry into design came gradually, and in 1975, he co-founded the Giorgio Armani company with his partner Sergio Galeotti. From those early years, Armani displayed not only creativity but also an ability to manage business with vision. His company grew into a global empire, generating over 2.6 billion dollars in revenue in 2024 and employing thousands of people. Armani’s personal fortune was estimated at over 12 billion dollars by Forbes, making him one of the wealthiest figures in the fashion industry.
?? ITALIAN FASHION ICON GIORGIO ARMANI DEAD AT 91
Giorgio Armani, the legendary designer who defined understated Italian elegance and reimagined Hollywood red carpets, has died at 91, the Armani Group announced.
Armani rose from window dresser to global tastemaker,… pic.twitter.com/2dsmJwLLEE
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 4, 2025
For Armani, the pursuit of independence was central. He resisted pressures to sell his company or take it public, choosing instead to remain its sole shareholder. This decision gave him full control over every detail, from the fabrics chosen for collections to the advertising campaigns that defined his brand’s image. Known for his meticulous eye, he was often present backstage during shows, adjusting models’ hair or offering last-minute styling corrections before they stepped onto the runway. His involvement in every aspect of the creative and business process set him apart from many contemporaries.
Armani’s style became instantly recognisable. He pioneered the idea of the “unstructured” suit jacket, which replaced stiff tailoring with softer, more relaxed cuts. This innovation not only redefined menswear in the 1980s but also influenced the broader culture of dress. His clothes were featured in films such as American Gigolo, where Richard Gere’s Armani suits became a symbol of refined masculinity. Over the years, Armani’s designs appeared on red carpets around the world, worn by stars including Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, and countless others. His vision shaped not only Italian fashion but global style.
In recent years, Armani had been unwell, and his health forced him to miss Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June 2025. It was the first time in his long career that he had been absent from one of his own catwalk presentations. His absence at the time raised concerns about his health, but he continued to work until the end, guiding collections and projects with the same devotion that defined his career. His company confirmed that he remained involved in decision-making, even as illness limited his public appearances.
Milan, 4 September 2025 – With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani.
Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away… pic.twitter.com/7lMIdpw5oX
— Armani (@armani) September 4, 2025
The Armani Group announced that a funeral chamber will be set up in Milan on September 6 and 7, where admirers and colleagues will be able to pay their respects. The funeral itself will be private, held on an unspecified date with family and close collaborators. This reflects Armani’s preference for discretion in his personal life, even while his professional work was celebrated on the world stage.
Attention has now turned to the question of succession. Armani had spoken about this in interviews, particularly after experiencing health challenges in recent years. He emphasised that the handover of responsibilities would be gradual, entrusted to those closest to him, including family members and trusted collaborators. He highlighted figures such as Pantaleo “Leo” Dell’Orco, head of men’s design, as essential to carrying his vision forward. Reports suggest that in 2016, Armani created a succession plan through the Giorgio Armani Foundation, dividing shares into blocs and assigning defined voting rights to family members and Dell’Orco. His sister Rosanna, nieces Roberta and Silvana, nephew Andrea, and Dell’Orco are expected to guide the company’s future. Armani himself expressed his desire for the transition to be “organic and not a moment of rupture.”
Saddened ? to hear about the passing of Giorgio Armani, a true icon in the world of fashion. I feel very proud to have been part of one of his campaigns and to have met his family.
My condolences to all his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/zy9gUwwsHh
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 4, 2025
Even beyond business, Armani’s life reflected a deep connection to his community. He was especially devoted to Milan, his adopted city, and contributed to many social and cultural projects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was among the first fashion designers to donate funds and resources to hospitals, earning admiration for his commitment to public welfare. His company’s statement emphasised this aspect of his life, calling him a man of “relentless curiosity and deep attention to the present and to people.” For many, Armani was more than a designer; he was a cultural ambassador for Italy and a philanthropist who recognised his responsibilities beyond fashion.
“I have always had the deepest respect and admiration for Giorgio Armani, not only as a designer who never strayed from his vision but as a man who loved his family and friends and his homeland in such a special way. Though he was an icon of the world of fashion, he lived with… pic.twitter.com/0X5PA1xqaB
— Ralph Lauren (@RalphLauren) September 4, 2025
The death of Giorgio Armani is being felt not only in Italy but across the world. Fashion houses, designers, and celebrities have begun paying tribute to a man whose influence transcended trends. His creations defined elegance for half a century, and his refusal to compromise on independence set a rare example in an industry often dominated by conglomerates. He showed that a designer could also be a strong businessman, without sacrificing creative control. His empire, built with patience and discipline, will now be entrusted to those who worked by his side for decades.
Thank you, Mr. Giorgio Armani, for your countless years of friendship, collaboration and dedication to your visionary craft. May GOD BLESS YOU as you are welcomed into eternal peace. ?? pic.twitter.com/PmGlqT5mqF
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) September 4, 2025
On screen and off, in quiet moments and on the grandest stages, I have had the honor of wearing Armani. Today, we remember a man whose genius touched many lives and whose legacy of grace and timeless style will endure. #GiorgioArmani
Photo credit: Marco Grob pic.twitter.com/wwicQuKYDc— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) September 4, 2025
