Italian designer Giorgio Armani, who reshaped fashion for men and women with his timeless designs, has died at the age of 91. After a brief career in medicine, he founded his luxury label in 1975 with partner Sergio Galeotti, building an empire spanning fashion, fragrance, beauty and beyond.
Armani's style was defined by classic refined silhouettes and immaculate tailoring, blurring gender lines. Fashion director Melanie Rickey said: 'His real genius was to strip away superfluous detail and let the silhouette and fabrication do all the talking.' His aesthetic remained relevant despite a trend-driven industry, with his $8bn empire testifying to its enduring appeal.
A lifelong cinema fan, Armani turned red carpets into catwalks. Richard Gere's suit in 1980's American Gigolo introduced the world to the Armani look, cementing a Hollywood relationship that saw him design for over 200 films. Julia Roberts wore an off-the-rack Armani men's suit to the 1990 Golden Globes, redefining red carpet power dressing.
Jodie Foster wore an Armani trouser suit with an Aids ribbon at the 1992 Oscars, a powerful statement. More recently, Zendaya chose an Armani Privé gown for the 2024 Oscars. His final collection, 'Lumières', marked two decades of Armani Privé with shimmering organzas and liquid satins.
Armani's name became a byword for cool sophistication that surpassed simple trends. As fashion editor Jo Ellison noted, his suits look as good today as they did more than 40 years ago.
