SAYING GOODBYE TO GIORGIO ARMANI, FASHION'S QUIET REVOLUTIONIST

Early Life & Rise in Fashion

Giorgio Armani, born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, initially pursued a career in medicine. However, his path took a different turn when he joined the Italian Army and later transitioned into the fashion world. His journey began humbly when he worked as a window dresser and sales clerk at La Rinascente in Milan in 1957. It was during this time that his fascination with presentation first emerged, setting the stage for his future in the fashion industry. By the mid-1960s, he was designing men's clothes for Nino Cerruti and working as a freelancer for several fashion houses. In 1973, he and Sergio Galeotti started a design office together. This led to the founding of Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in July 1975.

Changing the way we think about modern elegance

Armani's 'deconstructed, minimalist tailoring' marked a significant departure from traditional structured suits, introducing a more relaxed and casual style to the fashion industry. This approach, particularly in the form of unstructured jackets and suits, which blurred the lines between genders in terms of style, changed the meaning of luxury. He was known as the 'Fashion's Master of the Power Suit in Fashion' because he revolutionized businesswear and red-carpet fashion with a sophisticated, yet easy-to-wear style. He got his big break when he dressed Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980). This made him very powerful in Hollywood.

Making a Global Empire

Armani's brand expansion in the late 1970s and 1980s was a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and visionary outlook. Introducing diffusion lines like Emporio Armani and AX Armani Exchange, along with a range of products from children's clothing to fragrances, he established a global empire. His vision extended beyond fashion, as he ventured into lifestyle with the ownership of the Olimpia Milano basketball team and design projects for Olympic and professional athletes. His influence even extended to the hospitality industry, as seen in the Dubai Armani Hotel, showcasing his diverse interests and global impact.

Cultural and Ethical Leadership

Armani was known for pushing for better industry standards. After a tragic incident involving anorexia, which brought to light the unhealthy body standards in the fashion industry, he became the first major designer to ban runway models with a BMI under 18. This was a significant step towards promoting healthier body images in the fashion world. He was also the first person in the industry to stream a haute couture show live online in 2007.

Last Years and Death

Giorgio Armani died peacefully in Milan on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. He remained fully engaged in his business and creative endeavors until the end. Thousands of people came to see him at his Milan headquarters, and a private funeral followed. Many of his former coworkers referred to him as a "father figure," and numerous famous people, including Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, Donatella Versace, Demi Moore, Victoria Beckham, and Beyoncé, paid tribute to him.

Armani's Peers: The Generation That Came Before Him

Here are some other fashion giants from Armani's time who also had an impact on 20th-century style:

• Yves Saint Laurent (1936–2008): Known for giving women power through famous designs like the Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women, which combined traditional styles with new, daring shapes.

• Ralph Lauren (b. 1939): Changed American fashion by being the first to use aspirational lifestyle branding and making sports and beachwear look romantic with his preppy style.

• Calvin Klein (born 1942) brought provocative minimalism to mainstream fashion. He is known for his underwear line and iconic ad campaigns that made bold intimacy a cultural touchstone.

  Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019) was a legendary creative force behind Chanel, Fendi, and his own label. He was known for constantly reinventing himself, producing a vast amount of work, and blending old styles with new ones.

• Gianni Versace (1946–1997): He started Versace and is known for his bright prints, bold sexuality, and turning fashion into theatrical art.

These designers, such as Armani, made lasting impressions in their own unique ways, whether through minimalism, branding, eroticism, or luxury. This illustrates how fashion evolved in numerous ways during their era.

References

Associated Press. (2025, September 4). Giorgio Armani, Italian designer who made power dressing chic, dies at 91. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/italy-obit-giorgio-armani-bb4b91756214c456fd5db14216a91b75

Cinemablend. (2025, September 4). Julia Roberts, Donatella Versace pay tribute to Giorgio Armani after death at 91. CinemaBlend. https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/julia-roberts-donatella-versace-pay-tribute-giorgio-armani-after-death-at-91

Le Monde. (2025, September 6). Thousands pay respects to Italian designer Giorgio Armani. Le Monde. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/09/06/thousands-pay-respects-to-italian-designer-giorgio-armani_6745090_4.html

Reuters. (2025, September 7). Former workers bid farewell to Giorgio Armani, who was ‘like a father’. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/former-workers-bid-farewell-giorgio-armani-who-was-like-father-2025-09-07

Teen Vogue. (2025, September 5). Giorgio Armani’s lasting legacy: Zendaya, Beyoncé, and the power of elegance. Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/giorgio-armanis-lasting-legacy-zendaya-beyonce-and-the-power-of-elegance

Vogue. (2025, September 5). Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, and Lauren Hutton remember Giorgio Armani. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/cate-blanchett-richard-gere-and-lauren-hutton-remember-giorgio-armani