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Giorgio Armani Dies at 91: Remembering the Fashion Legend’s Timeless Legacy

  • Writer: Qui Joacin
    Qui Joacin
  • Sep 5
  • 3 min read

Giorgio Armani dies at 91. From redefining elegance with minimalist tailoring to building a global empire, Giorgio Armani’s influence on fashion and culture will never fade.

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who crafted luxury through his namesake fashion and beauty brands, has died at 91. Look back at his storied career and life in photos, including here, as he waves to attendees at his Giorgio Armani spring/summer 2025 fashion show on Oct. 17, 2024, in New York City.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who crafted luxury through his namesake fashion and beauty brands, has died at 91. Look back at his storied career and life in photos, including here, as he waves to attendees at his Giorgio Armani spring/summer 2025 fashion show on Oct. 17, 2024, in New York City. Mike Coppola, Getty Images

Friends, we just lost one of the greatest fashion icons of all time. Giorgio Armani dies at 91, and honestly, it feels like the end of an era. Armani wasn’t just a designer — he was the man who taught the world that simplicity can be the ultimate form of elegance.


The Man Who Changed Fashion Forever

Born in Piacenza, Italy, in 1934, Armani originally dreamed of becoming a doctor before shifting into fashion. By 1975, he launched his namesake label — and the rest is history. His designs weren’t flashy; instead, they were sleek, refined, and timeless. Armani believed clothes should highlight the person, not overshadow them.


From power suits to perfumes, his empire grew into a multibillion-dollar business spanning fashion, fragrance, beauty, home decor, and even luxury hotels. He wasn’t just creating clothes — he was building a lifestyle.


Fashion designer Giorgio Armani, left, poses for photographers with Cher before the start of a fashion show and dinner Feb. 4, 1993, in New York.
Jeff Christensen
Fashion designer Giorgio Armani, left, poses for photographers with Cher before the start of a fashion show and dinner Feb. 4, 1993, in New York. Jeff Christensen

Hollywood, Sports, and Beyond

If you’ve ever seen Richard Gere in American Gigolo or Julia Roberts on the red carpet, you’ve seen Armani’s magic. His designs became Hollywood staples, gracing celebrities from Michelle Pfeiffer to Beyoncé. Armani also loved sports, designing uniforms for soccer teams and even venturing into the Olympics. He understood that fashion could live everywhere — not just on the runway.


What the Industry Is Saying

The fashion world is mourning deeply. Ralph Lauren praised him for his humility and vision, while Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli called him a “Maestro recognized for his elegance and creativity.” Designer Raf Simons echoed what so many of us feel, saying Armani was a visionary whose influence will remain a cornerstone of fashion history.


And honestly? They’re all right. Armani wasn’t just designing clothes — he was designing foreverness.


Giorgio Armani, left, with model Agnes Zogla at the end of his presentation for Armani Prive during his Paris haute couture show, presenting the spring/summer 2025 collection and marking the brand's 20th anniversary, on Jan. 28, 2025.
JULIEN DE ROSA, AFP Via Getty Images
Giorgio Armani, left, with model Agnes Zogla at the end of his presentation for Armani Prive during his Paris haute couture show, presenting the spring/summer 2025 collection and marking the brand's 20th anniversary, on Jan. 28, 2025. JULIEN DE ROSA, AFP Via Getty Images

His Final Days

Even at 91, Armani worked right up until the end. According to the Armani Group, he remained dedicated to his company and future projects, showing just how passionate he was about his craft. Sadly, he had to miss Milan Men’s Fashion Week earlier this year for the first time in his career due to illness.


His funeral will be held in Milan, in a private ceremony — exactly as he requested. Always elegant, even in how he chose to leave.


His Legacy

Giorgio Armani never married but shared that he’d had relationships with both men and women. Beyond his personal life, he was known for his generosity, supporting Milan and contributing to countless causes. For those who worked with him, he wasn’t just a boss — he was family.


His employees put it best: “We feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication. We commit to protecting what he built and carrying his company forward.”


Giorgio Armani, center, and models after the Armani spring/summer 2019 fashion show in Milan, on Sept. 23, 2018.
ANDREAS SOLARO, AFP Via Getty Images
Giorgio Armani, center, and models after the Armani spring/summer 2019 fashion show in Milan, on Sept. 23, 2018. ANDREAS SOLARO, AFP Via Getty Images

Why Armani Will Always Matter

The phrase “timeless fashion” might as well have been invented for him. Armani’s work was about making elegance accessible — whether through a perfectly cut suit, a signature fragrance, or the quiet luxury of his designs.


He showed us that style isn’t about trends. It’s about presence. About confidence. About knowing that less can be more.

As we say goodbye to Giorgio Armani, one thing’s clear: his influence won’t fade. It’s stitched into the very fabric of how we think about fashion, beauty, and elegance today.

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