Godfather of Italian fashion dead at 91
Spanning a career of more than 50 years, Armani redefined fashion with architectural lines and fluid evening silhouettes, elevating beauty, elegance and power to the highest form of design. The Armani fashion house would extend into every category of luxury, including Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Casa, and the epitome of international design, Armani Privé—the couture branch of the brand. Armani Privé featured made-to-order gowns that graced film festivals, red carpets and fashion magazines, with some garments reaching astronomical price tags—sometimes as high as a quarter of a million dollars—turning fashion into sought after art.
Armani leaves behind a legacy that many designers today may not even aspire to—a rarity in the modern era. He remained at the helm of his fashion house throughout his historic career, a company that also remains a private entity.
Beginning his career in the late 1950s at a department store in Italy, following a stint in medical school and military service in World War II, Armani shifted his path toward fashion. His first introduction to the industry came at the most critical level: the retail space, where product meets consumer. This education set the bar for Armani’s future and positioned him as a mastermind of fashion marketing.
Armani revolutionized the men’s suit. The classic design was reinvented by removing inner construction, eliminating padding and softening lines. The result provided ease of wear while maintaining the sleek, razor-sharp image of sophistication. This innovation became a defining feature of the house.
“I can only bow to his immense talent. The changes he brought to fashion, and above all, to his unwavering loyalty to one style: his own,” Fellow designer Valentino Garavani said in statement on Instagram.
The Armani DNA expanded into a complete lifestyle vision with the opening of the Armani Hotel in Dubai, bringing the brand full circle. All under one name; Armani joined the ranks of Italian icons such as Lamborghini and Ferrari.
“Giorgio Armani was a visionary whose influence reached far beyond design. I first met him many years ago in Milan and I remember being blown away by his creativity and genius,” Leonardo DiCaprio said in a post on Instagram.
Armani would become a premier costume designer for films like “American Gigolo,” “Goodfellas,” and most notably, “The Untouchables.” It would shape a narrative of sophistication and glamour to the masses.
This relationship with cinema extended to the red carpet. Celebrities consistently turned to Armani during awards season. Julia Roberts shocked the world when she wore a men’s suit to the 1990 Golden Globes. Other notable clients included Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga who Armani would dress almost exclusively for the “A Star Is Born” press tour. In 2010, Gaga wore a more artful design to the Grammys: an intergalactic-inspired gown of iridescent material with ribbon strips that floated around her body. This piece of fashion innovation solidified Gaga’s status as a red-carpet gold.
A day of mourning was observed in Italy. Visitation took place at the Armani Teatro in Milan, with expected guests including editors, models, and fellow designers.
“The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever,”- Donatella Versace said in statement on Instagram.
Rumors are already beginning to circulate about who will succeed him at the house. One thing, however, is certain: the very reason we call it “high fashion” is due, in part, to the storied legacy of Giorgio Armani.