The fashion world has lost one of its giants. Giorgio Armani, who died on Thursday, September 4 at the age of 91, left his mark on more than half a century of design with his pared-down style, timeless elegance and singular vision of the male and female silhouette. The designer has passed away, leaving an empire estimated to be worth billions of euros, and a name that has become synonymous with Italian refinement.
Giorgio Armani was born on July 11, 1934 in Piacenza, Italy. Initially destined for a career in medicine, he soon turned to the world of fashion. After a spell with Nino Cerruti in the 1960s, he founded his own label in 1975, alongside business partner Sergio Galeotti. It was the start of a meteoric rise that would make him one of the most influential designers of his time.
Armani's unmistakable style revolutionized men's wardrobes in the late '70s with the famous unstructured suit, without lining or rigid epaulets. Its sober, fluid and refined aesthetic quickly established itself as the quintessence of elegance. In the 80s, he also conquered Hollywood, dressing Richard Gere in American Gigolo and actresses such as Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster on the red carpets.
Today, the Armani universe is expressed through several lines: Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, but also in perfumery, home decoration (Armani/Casa),luxury hotels (Armani Hotels) and even restaurants.
One of Armani's major distinguishing features is its ability to maintain its independence in a sector largely dominated by large luxury groups such as LVMH and Kering. This choice has enabled him to retain total control over his artistic and commercial vision. Discreet but demanding, Giorgio Armani never gave in to ephemeral fashion, preferring timelessness to trends, reconciling rigor and sensuality, classic and modern.
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