Iconic Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died.
He was 91.
Armani, who turned understated elegance into a fashion empire, died at home, his fashion house confirmed and the Associated Press reported.
Armani missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for previews of Spring-Summer 2026 menswear for the first time as he recovered from an undisclosed condition.
He was planning to celebrate 50 years of his signature Giorgio Armani fashion house during Milan Fashion Week this month.
Armani stayed in power at his fashion house until the end.
He announced a foundation would be to avoid his businesses being split up.
Leo Dell’Orco and his niece Silvana Armani would be in charge of the creative end, he indicated.
Dell’Orco and Armani have led the menswear and womenswear collections, respectively, for all Armani collections — Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange.
Armani made a splash in the 1970s with an unlined jacket, a simple pair of pants and an urban palette.
In that combination, he created a recognizable relaxed silhouette that has been a part of the fashion house for half a century.
Armani dressed everyone from the office executive to the Hollywood stars
At the time of his death, his empire was worth $10 billion.
In addition to his clothing, the empire included accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers and chocolates.
He ranked in the world’s top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes.
Armani owned several bars, clubs, restaurants and his own basketball team EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, better known as Olympia Milano. He opened more than 20 restaurants from Milan to Tokyo since 1998, and two hotels. One hotel is in Dubai; the other in Milan.
“I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical,” he would say when asked about his clientele.
