The fashion industry has been shaken by the news that legendary designer Giorgio Armani has passed away at the age of 91.
The Italian icon died peacefully, surrounded by his family, leaving behind an indelible mark on global style.
Tributes Pour In From Celebrities and Fashion Elites
As soon as the announcement was made by the Armani Group, social media lit up with heartfelt tributes.
Designer Donatella Versace posted a broken heart emoji and wrote, “The world lost a giant today.
He made history and will be remembered forever.”
Princess Diana’s niece, Lady Amelia Spencer, shared four red hearts, while racecar driver Charles Leclerc reflected on meeting the designer, saying, “A great honor to have had the chance to meet and work with such an amazing person. You will be missed Giorgio.”
Fashion star Maja Malnar simply declared, “Forever an icon,” while Italian actress Alice Pagani added, “Forever grateful to have met you.” TV personality Simona Ventura wrote, “Giorgio, you are and will always be our KING.
Thank you for making us feel proud to be ITALIAN! I love you.”
Other heartfelt messages poured in from photographer Nima Benati, actress Pilar Fogliati, actor Edoardo Leo, and TV presenter Francesca Fagnani, all praising Armani’s vision and impact on fashion.
Vogue described him as someone who “defined the 1980s and shaped the course of fashion beyond it.”
Armani Group Reflects on His Legacy
In a statement, Armani’s fashion firm emphasized the family-like atmosphere he cultivated within the company.
They wrote: “Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication.
It is precisely in his spirit that we commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love.”
Re Giorgio: The Man Behind the Empire
Known affectionately as “Re Giorgio” or King Giorgio, Armani was famously hands-on, overseeing every detail of his collections and business operations, including advertising and even the models’ hair before runway shows.
He remained CEO and creative director until his death, admitting in a recent interview that “my greatest weakness is that I am in control of everything.”
A Life Dedicated to Italian Elegance
Armani became synonymous with modern Italian style, designing classic tailored outfits, luxurious evening gowns, and red-carpet-ready ensembles.
His company brought in around $2.7 billion annually, and his empire—including clothing, accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers, and chocolates—was valued at over $10 billion, placing him among the world’s top 200 billionaires.
Final Years and Funeral Arrangements
Armani had been unwell for some time and had missed his group’s Milan Men’s Fashion Week shows in June, marking the first time in his career he skipped a runway event.
The company confirmed that a funeral chamber will be set up in Milan on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a private funeral on an unspecified date.