Giorgio Armani, Legendary Italian Fashion Designer, Dead At 91

The fashion world is mourning the loss of Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani. The legendary designer who reshaped the industry with his sleek tailoring has died at the age of 91. His fashion house, the Armani Group, confirmed his passing on Thursday (Sep. 4) via a statement.

“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” it reads. “Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.”

“For decades, Giorgio Armani shaped a vision that reached far beyond fashion, touching nearly every aspect of modern life. With extraordinary clarity and pragmatism, he anticipated cultural shifts, guided by relentless curiosity and a profound attentiveness to people and the present moment,” it continues. “Along the way, he built an open dialogue with the public, earning admiration and respect for his rare ability to connect universally. Deeply committed to community, he was especially devoted to supporting his beloved Milan.

The company vowed to “carry the Armani Group forward with respect, continuity, and unwavering dedication to the values he embodied.”

From executives to the Hollywood screen, Armani dressed the world’s elite in his signature classic tailoring. His black-tie ensembles and glittering gowns often stole the spotlight on red carpets during awards season, cementing his place as a versatile designer.

At the height of his career and at the time of his death, Armani reportedly oversaw a fashion empire valued at more than $10 billion. Beyond clothing, his brand extended into accessories, home décor, fragrances, cosmetics, books, flowers, and even chocolates, making him one of the world’s top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes. His ventures also included more than 20 restaurants, ranging from Milan to Tokyo, as well as two luxury hotels in Dubai and Milan, bars, clubs, and ownership of Italy’s professional basketball team, Olympia Milano.

“I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical,” Armani once said when asked to describe his clientele. His designs have even trickled over to Hip-Hop with many artists rapping about his tailored looks and high fashion, such as Jay-Z, T.I., and Nas.

Tributes have poured in from all over from his colleagues, friends, clients, fans, and more. Julia Roberts, who famously wore an Armani men’s suit to the 1990 Golden Globes, remembered him as “a true friend” and “a legend.”

A former employee recalled Armani’s humanity, commenting on Instagram, “He treated everyone as equals. He would invite us — tailors, mailmen, sales assistants — to birthday parties and dinners. He would laugh with us and was really down to earth.”

A funeral chamber will be set up for Armani over the weekend (Sept. 6-7) and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Milan, at Via Bergognone 59, inside the Armani/Teatro. In accordance with Mr. Armani’s explicit wishes, the funeral will be held privately. Armani is survived by his sister, Rosanna, her son, Andrea Camerana, and his nieces, Silvana and Roberta.