Giorgio Armani, Italian Design Legend, Dead at 91/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at age 91, marking the end of a pioneering career that redefined global style. Known for his minimalist elegance and the “power suit,” Armani built a $10 billion empire. He passed away at home, months before his label’s 50th anniversary.
Giorgio Armani Dies at 91 Quick Looks
- Giorgio Armani died at home at age 91, fashion house confirms.
- Known for soft tailoring, minimalist elegance, and global influence.
- Skipped Milan Fashion Week in June due to illness.
- Planned to celebrate 50 years of his brand this month.
- Built a $10B fashion empire across apparel, perfume, and hospitality.
- Dressed global celebrities from Hollywood to Wall Street.
- Created the iconic “power suit” for women in the 1980s.
- Owned restaurants, hotels, clubs, and a pro basketball team.
- Leaves behind no children; succession plan included key longtime staff and family.
- Remembered as a visionary, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Giorgio Armani, Italian Design Legend, Dead at 91
Deep Look
MILAN (AP) — World-renowned fashion designer Giorgio Armani, whose name became synonymous with timeless elegance and the modern power suit, has died at age 91, his fashion house confirmed Thursday. Armani passed away peacefully at his home in Milan.
The designer, who skipped Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 to recover from an undisclosed illness, had been preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of his namesake brand during this month’s Spring-Summer 2026 runway shows.
Armani’s legacy extends beyond the runway. From crafting unstructured jackets in the 1970s to dressing the likes of Richard Gere, Anne Hathaway, and George Clooney, his designs have graced corporate boardrooms, red carpets, and even the silver screen. By the time of his death, he had built a multibillion-dollar empire spanning clothing, beauty, hospitality, and home design.
A Revolution in Ready-to-Wear Fashion
Armani’s vision redefined fashion in the late 20th century. Launching his brand in 1975 with his partner Sergio Galeotti, he debuted minimalist, softly tailored menswear that felt both luxurious and wearable. His breakthrough came with the lining-less sports jacket, paired with a simple T-shirt—an innovation that became an icon of effortless chic.
In 1980, Armani’s international acclaim skyrocketed after Richard Gere wore his suits in the film American Gigolo, fusing Hollywood sex appeal with Italian design. It was the start of a long relationship between Armani and the entertainment industry—he would eventually be credited with styling wardrobes in over 200 films.
His style was always deliberate: clean lines, neutral tones, high-quality fabrics. Armani once said, “I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical.”
Empowering Women Through Fashion
Perhaps most transformative was Armani’s impact on women’s fashion, especially in the corporate world. His 1980s power suits, featuring padded shoulders and masculine lines softened with feminine tailoring, became a wardrobe staple for career-minded women seeking confidence and sophistication in male-dominated spaces.
Critics called his aesthetic “androgynous,” but many women called it empowering.
Global Influence and Diversification
From high fashion to hospitality, Armani’s reach was immense. At the time of his death, his empire included:
- Over 600 stores worldwide
- Multiple clothing lines: Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange
- Perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers, chocolates
- More than 20 restaurants, bars, and clubs
- Two luxury hotels in Milan and Dubai
- A professional basketball team, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
The designer was also one of the richest men in fashion, with a net worth exceeding $10 billion, according to Forbes, placing him among the top 200 wealthiest individuals globally.
Style, Simplicity, and Legacy
Armani was not just a designer—he embodied his brand. From his everyday jeans and T-shirt uniform to the minimalism of his personal homes in Broni, Pantelleria, and St. Tropez, Armani’s life was a mirror of his aesthetic philosophy.
He remained fiercely independent, never selling his company or merging with a larger group. “Re Giorgio,” or “King George” as Italians called him, stayed in full control until the end.
In 2000, the Guggenheim Museum in New York honored his contributions with a landmark retrospective—the first fashion designer to receive such recognition there.
Succession and Family
Though Armani never married or had children, he was close to his niece, Roberta Armani, who became the brand’s public face at many events and helped maintain celebrity connections. His head of menswear, Leo Dell’Orco, and Silvana Armani, head of womenswear, were identified as his likely successors.
In 2006, Roberta helped orchestrate the celebrity-filled wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes—with Armani personally designing both the bride and groom’s outfits.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility
Beyond fashion, Armani engaged in charity and advocacy, particularly for children and refugees. He supported the fight against AIDS and served as a United Nations goodwill ambassador. In an industry often known for extravagance, Armani remained grounded in quiet activism and humanitarian work.
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