MILAN, Italy (Diya TV) — Giorgio Armani, the Italian fashion icon who defined understated elegance and built a global style empire, has died at 91, his fashion house confirmed.
Armani died at home, the company said. The news comes just months after he missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for the first time while recovering from an undisclosed illness. He had been preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of his Giorgio Armani label during this month’s Milan Fashion Week.
Born in Piacenza, Italy, on July 11, 1934, Armani first dreamed of becoming a doctor. A part-time job as a window decorator in Milan, however, opened the door to a different career. In 1975, Armani and his partner Sergio Galeotti sold their Volkswagen for $10,000 to start a menswear line. The following year, they launched womenswear.
His first major innovation was the unlined jacket. Paired with soft trousers and a muted urban palette, it created the relaxed silhouette that became his signature. Hollywood embraced his look in the late 1970s, bringing Armani into the international spotlight.
Armani’s designs became the uniform of the powerful and glamorous. His tailored suits, evening gowns, and tuxedos were staples for executives, celebrities, and red-carpet stars. The famous “power suit,” with its padded shoulders and sharp tailoring, helped redefine women’s workwear in the 1980s.
Hollywood sealed his reputation. Richard Gere’s wardrobe in the 1980 film American Gigolo showcased Armani’s sleek designs, making both actor and designer household names. Armani went on to design costumes for more than 200 films.
On Oscar night, Armani’s creations became red-carpet highlights. Sean Penn, Anne Hathaway, George Clooney, Sofia Loren, and Brad Pitt were among the many stars who wore his designs. The 2000 retrospective at New York’s Guggenheim Museum confirmed Armani’s place in fashion history.
Over five decades, Armani built a business empire worth more than $10 billion, according to Forbes. His brand expanded beyond fashion to include accessories, fragrances, cosmetics, home furnishings, and even chocolates.
The Armani Group operates more than 600 stores worldwide and employs over 9,000 people. Half of the company’s top executives are women, reflecting Armani’s commitment to balance and inclusivity.
Armani also invested in hospitality, opening over 20 restaurants and two luxury hotels, one in Dubai in 2009 and another in Milan in 2010. His interests stretched into sports as well, with ownership of the EA7 Emporio Armani Milan basketball team, better known as Olympia Milano.
Armani himself was instantly recognizable, with blue eyes, a silver crown of hair, and a permanent tan. He favored simple outfits—jeans and a T-shirt—mirroring the understated luxury of his collections. His homes, from Milan to the Mediterranean, reflected the same minimalist aesthetic.
Despite global fame, Armani often described himself as designing for “real people.” He valued practicality as much as beauty, telling interviewers, “There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical.”
Known as “Re Giorgio,” or “King George,” in Italy, Armani was fiercely independent. He kept full control of his company and charted his own course, both creatively and in business.
Armani never married and had no children. After Galeotti died in 1985, he leaned on family, especially his niece Roberta, who became his director of public relations. His niece Silvana Armani and longtime menswear director Leo Dell’Orco are seen as central to continuing his vision.
The Armani Group released a statement pledging to carry on its values of independence, responsibility, and passion. “We feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication,” it said.
Armani’s impact extended beyond fashion. He supported children’s charities and AIDS research and served as a U.N. goodwill ambassador for refugees in 2002.
A public funeral chamber will be open in Milan at the Armani/Teatro on Via Bergognone 59 from Sept. 6–7. The funeral itself will be private, in line with Armani’s wishes.
