THE Giorgio Armani, The designer who turned Italian elegance into a world symbol, passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind a fashion empire, business and undoubtedly unmatched style.
With his unparalleled talent and dedication, Giorgio Armani – who declared a workaholic – created an empire that went beyond fashion and touched the lives of millions of people in every corner of the world.
From the red carpets of Hollywood to the offices of the most powerful women, its name became synonymous with timeless elegance, passion and passion – a legacy that will live forever.
THE Giorgio Armani died at the age of 91 at homewhere he was to recover after recent hospitalization, which had been kept secret.
“With endless sadness, the Armani Group announces the loss of its creator, founder and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” his company said in a statement. His funeral, according to his wishes, will be private.
According to the company, Signor Armani, as his associates and his employees called him, died calmly, surrounded by his loved ones. ‘Tireless to the end, he worked until his last days, Dedicated to the company, collections and many current and future projects, “the company adds.
Also known as Re Giorgio – Vassilia Georgio- He was famous for his personal supervision in every detail. He remained until the end CEO and artistic director of his house. In his latest interview, just last weekend, he had stated: “My biggest weakness is that I want to control everything.”
Self -characterized workman and had revealed that its greatest complaint In life were the endless hours of work that deprived him of friends and family.
“In this company, we always felt like a family,” the Armani group said, saying goodbye to its founder.
The king of Italian elegance
Synonymous of modern Italian style and timeless elegance, Armani combined the creator’s talent with the firing of the businessman.
He directed an empire with a turnover EUR 2.3 billion per year, While the value of his house today exceeds $ 10 billion.
Known as “Re Giorgio” (King Giorgio), he personally supervised every detail: from ads to model hair before climbing the runway. Despite his success, in recent years his health had been shaken and for the first time in his career he was forced to miss the shows of the men’s fashion week in Milan.
The company announced that a popular pilgrimage will be set up on Milan on Saturday and Sunday, and the funeral will take place in a close family circle.
From the jacket without a lining to ‘Power Suit’ of the ’80s
Extensive Dailymail tribute, says that from his first jackets without a lining that became hollywood and Wall Street, to the revolutionary suit for women symbolizing the rise of a female businessman of the 1980s, Armani redefined the way.
He himself characterized The white t-shirt “The alpha and omega of the fashion alphabet”. Critics often talked about an “androgynous” aesthetic, but his philosophy was clear: Loose elegance, with care in detail.
“I plan for real people. There is no virtue in making clothes and accessories that are not practical, “he said.
Hollywood and shine on the red carpet
International recognition came with the film American Gigolo (1980)that launched both himself and Richard Gir. Since then, Armani has signed costumes for More than 200 films, and in 2003 he was honored with his own star at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Fame.
In Oscars, his appearances always became a reference point: by his Sean with the black Armani suit when he won the first male role award in 2009, until the If Hathaway with the impressive white Armani Privé toilet.
Long -term fans and customers have been Judy Foster, George Clooney, Sofia Loren, Brad Pittwhile in 2009 the David and Victoria Beckham They starred in his underwear campaign.
In 2000, the Guggenheim Museum in New York presented a large retrospective exhibition for its first 25 years in fashion, recognizing its contribution to the formation of world aesthetics.
An empire beyond fashion
His success was not limited to clothes. Armani created a huge range of products: accessories, perfumes, cosmetics, furniture, books, and even chocolates and flowers.
At the same time inaugurated Over 20 restaurants from Milan to Tokyo, two luxurious hotels In Dubai and Milan, bar and club. Was also owner of the EA7 basketball team Emporio Armani Milan (Olympia Milan).
In 2023, the Armani Group employed more than 9,000 employees, with women holding 50% of management positions, seven industrial units and Over 600 stores worldwide.
The personal life
Born on July 11, 1934 in Piacentsa, Initially he dreamed of becoming a doctor. A day -to -day wage as a wigsmaker in a Milan department store, however, brought him on the road to fashion.
In 1975, along with his partner Sergio Galeti, they sold their Volkswagen for $ 10,000 and started their own brand of men’s prêt-à-porter.
Galeti died in 1985. Armani never had his own children, but was very close to Roberta, daughter of Sergio’s brother, who left her career in cinema to take over the public relations management.
Together with Silvana Armani and Leo Del Oath-head of women’s and men’s collections respectively-they were considered key faces for his succession.
At the same time, the designer was active in charity, supporting children, refugees and the fight against AIDS. In 2002 he was proclaimed UN Ambassador for Refugees.
His personal image was part of the myth: Blue eyes, always tanned, almost hair from an early age, almost always dressed in jeans and t-shirts. He himself as a minimalism characterized his houses, from Broni near Milan, to Panteleria in Sicily and Saint -Tropez in the French Riviera.
‘I love things that get well aged, Things that are not overcome and become living examples of the absolute best, “he said about his work.
And that is exactly what he left behind: a legacy of timeless elegance, which changed the way we see fashion and especially that we live it.
Goodbye Georgio Armani …