Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91, surrounded by loved ones on 4/9. In a statement, his family and staff expressed a profound sense of loss. He was remembered as a visionary, passionate, dedicated, and disciplined individual who eschewed ostentation.

Many fashion designers and A-list celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, and David and Victoria Beckham, paid tribute on social media. Donatella Versace wrote, "Today, the world lost a giant. He made history and will be remembered forever,".

During his nearly 65-year career, Armani was admired for his sharp business acumen and unique approach to fashion, interiors, hotels, automobiles, flowers, restaurants, and more.

In his youth, Armani led an adventurous life. He began studying medicine in 1956 but left three years later to join the army. Upon his return, he transitioned to window dressing at La Rinascente in Milan. It was there that he honed his skills in observing customers and understanding their evolving needs and dressing habits, shaping the revolutionary thinking that would define his own brand, launched in 1975.

Giorgio Armani leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning six decades of significant social and aesthetic change. Just as Coco Chanel liberated women from the corset, Armani revolutionized the suit, traditionally a garment associated with formality, restriction, and austerity.

Selena Gomez shines in Armani at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party (left) and the 2011 AMAs. *Photo: AFP*

With his expertise in fabrics, Armani created a menswear line characterized by precise cuts, suitable for mass production. He softened the traditional men's suit, transforming it from stiff and rigid to fluid and elegant. Simultaneously, he empowered women's clothing by incorporating elements of menswear, instilling confidence in the workplace.

For Armani, a suit was not restrictive armor, but a means of self-expression. The Conversation described Armani's style as "an effortless, sophisticated, and thoughtful way of dressing that was neither showy nor ostentatious, both powerful and discreet." In the 1980s, as women increasingly entered the corporate world, Armani's power suit became a fashion statement, a departure from the classic dresses of previous generations, embodying both femininity and equality.

Armani's vision extended to harnessing the power of Hollywood. In 1980, he provided suits for Richard Gere in the film *American Gigolo*. Gere's on-screen masculinity became a sensation, breaking away from old stereotypes. This was not just free advertising, but a catalyst that propelled Armani to become an icon of American fashion, influencing Europe and the rest of the world.

Beyond the silver screen, Armani recognized the potential of the red carpet as a global stage. With the support of journalist Wanda McDaniel, wife of film producer Albert S. Ruddy, Armani transformed the red carpet into a marketing tool, ushering in an era where fashion, film, and events intertwined. McDaniel, a society columnist with strong ties to Hollywood's elite, connected Armani with a vast clientele in the film industry.

Since then, Armani has consistently dominated red carpet fashion, earning him the title of "king of the red carpet." His gowns have been a focal point at the Oscars and in numerous films and television shows, notably *The Untouchables* and the 1980s crime series *Miami Vice*. Armani-clad Hollywood stars frequently graced *Vogue*'s best-dressed lists. *Women’s Wear Daily* even dubbed the 1990 Oscars the "Armani Awards" due to the prevalence of his designs.

Within 10 years, he became the best-selling European designer in the US. His name elevated Milan to a prominent commercial and creative force in the global fashion world, second only to Paris.

Armani didn't just create clothes; he created a lifestyle. From clothing, eyewear, cosmetics, and jewelry to hotels, restaurants, and interiors, Armani offered a complete world for consumers. In 2000, an exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York celebrated Armani not just as a designer, but as an artist who transformed design into an art of living.

Armani's influence permeates every corner of the fashion industry. Designer Valentino said of his rare friend in the industry, "There is one person I have always considered a friend, never a rival. I can only bow to his immense talent. The changes he brought to fashion and, above all, his unwavering loyalty to one style - his own style,".

Designer Giorgio Armani was born in 1934 in Piacenza. *Photo: AFP*

Giorgio Armani received numerous prestigious awards, including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2021 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2002.

In his later years, Armani continued to present collections in Paris and Milan. In March, he told the BBC that he hoped to soothe the world's turmoil with his new collection, believing fashion could be a balm.

Armani once said, "I am never satisfied. I am perpetually restless and obsessed with perfection." According to the BBC, it was this obsession that forged an enduring legacy.

Sao Mai