Giorgio Armani died at the age of 91, marking the end of an era for the global fashion industry. The legendary Italian designer, who revolutionized men’s and women’s fashion with his signature unstructured tailoring, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The Armani Group announced the passing of its founder in an emotional statement, describing him as “a tireless driving force” who was respectfully known as “Il Signor Armani” by employees and collaborators throughout his illustrious career.
The End of a Fashion Dynasty
The news that Giorgio Armani died comes as a profound shock to the fashion world and his millions of admirers globally. The designer is credited over his decades of practice with curating a quintessentially Italian aesthetic in his clothes, as well as taking Hollywood’s red carpets to new heights.
Born in 1934 in Piacenza, northern Italy, Armani didn’t enter fashion until 1957. After studying medicine and completing military service, he began his career as a window dresser at La Rinascente department store in Milan. This humble beginning would ultimately lead him to become one of the world’s most influential fashion designers.
Building an Empire
In 1975, Armani founded his eponymous brand alongside his life and business partner Sergio Galeotti. Their first menswear collection achieved remarkable success in the United States, with Barneys New York stocking the line in 1976 and even producing a television commercial to introduce American shoppers to the Armani brand.
The brand’s breakthrough moment came in 1980 when Richard Gere wore an Armani suit in “American Gigolo,” transforming the designer’s creations into coveted status symbols. This Hollywood connection became a cornerstone of Armani’s marketing strategy, with celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster, and Sean Connery regularly sporting his designs.
Recent Health Concerns
In June 2025, Armani was not present to take his usual bow at the brand’s show during Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week, marking the first time in his career he had missed his own runway event. The company stated he was “currently recovering at home” without specifying his health condition, which now appears to have been more serious than initially revealed.
A Lasting Legacy
In the current luxury landscape dominated by conglomerates such as Louis Vuitton owner LVMH and Gucci parent company Kering, Armani was one of the few designers to remain the sole shareholder of his company. Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence valued the Armani business between 8 to 10 billion euros ($9.3 billion to $11.7 billion) in 2024.
The designer’s influence extended far beyond fashion. He purchased Italy’s most successful basketball team, Olimpia Milano, in 2008 and launched EA7, a sports apparel range. He also designed uniforms for the Italian Olympic teams in London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2020.
Recognition and Honors
Throughout his career, Armani received numerous accolades, including being named a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2021 and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, since 2002.
The Armani Group statement on behalf of his family and employees read: “Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication. But it is precisely in his spirit that we commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory.”
The fashion world mourns the loss of a true visionary whose minimalist elegance and innovative approach to tailoring will continue to influence designers for generations to come. What are your memories of Giorgio Armani’s impact on fashion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.