Milan, Italy September 4, 2025 (Agencies) — Legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, revered globally for redefining modern elegance and understated luxury, passed away peacefully at his home in Milan on Thursday. He was 91.
The Armani Group confirmed the news in an official statement, expressing “infinite sorrow” over the loss of its founder and creative force. “Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the statement read.
Armani had been recovering from an undisclosed illness following a private hospital stay earlier this year. His absence from Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June—his first in decades—had raised quiet concern among industry insiders. He had been planning a major celebration this month to mark the 50th anniversary of his fashion house during Milan Fashion Week.
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Giorgio Armani began his career in fashion in the 1960s and launched his eponymous label in 1975. He revolutionized Italian ready-to-wear fashion with his relaxed silhouettes, muted palettes, and unstructured tailoring. His designs—often described as “quietly powerful”—became synonymous with effortless sophistication, dressing Hollywood stars, global leaders, and style icons alike.
Armani’s influence extended far beyond clothing. His empire, valued at over $10 billion, includes accessories, fragrances, cosmetics, home furnishings, books, and even chocolates. He also owned restaurants, bars, and two luxury hotels—one in Dubai and another in Milan. His basketball team, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, remains a fixture in European sports culture.
Known affectionately as “Re Giorgio” (King Giorgio), Armani was celebrated not only for his creative genius but also for his meticulous control over every aspect of his brand—from advertising campaigns to runway details. “I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical,” he once said, reflecting his philosophy of wearable elegance.
A funeral chamber will be set up in Milan over the weekend, followed by a private ceremony at a later date. The Armani Group has pledged to continue his legacy “with respect, responsibility, and love,” guided by the values he instilled over five decades of visionary leadership.
Giorgio Armani’s passing marks the end of an era in global fashion, but his influence will endure in every impeccably tailored jacket, every minimalist silhouette, and every designer who dares to believe that elegance need not shout to be heard.