Italian Fashion Icon Giorgio Armani Dies at 91 in Milan
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, one of the most influential figures in modern style, has died at the age of 91.
The Armani Group confirmed on Thursday, 4 September 2025, that the legendary designer passed away peacefully at his home in Milan, surrounded by close family and associates.
Armani, often called “Re Giorgio” King Giorgio for his dominance of the fashion world, revolutionised global style from the 1970s onward with his clean, minimalist tailoring and elegant ready-to-wear collections. His designs reshaped power dressing in Hollywood, politics, and corporate boardrooms alike.
The Italian designer maintained full ownership of his empire, which includes luxury clothing, accessories, fragrances, and hotels, generating annual revenues of more than €2.3 billion. He was among the few global fashion leaders who retained control of their brand throughout their career.
Armani had recently scaled back public appearances due to ill health, skipping this year’s Milan Men’s Fashion Week for the first time in his career. Despite this, he remained deeply involved in the direction of his label until his final days.
Tributes have poured in from across the fashion industry, Hollywood, and Italian political circles. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described him as “a symbol of Italian excellence who carried our creativity to the world.” Actress Julia Roberts, long associated with Armani’s red-carpet gowns, said his passing marked “the loss of a visionary and a gentleman.”
Public viewings will be held at Milan’s Palazzo Marino on 6 and 7 September, giving admirers the chance to pay their respects. A private funeral will follow, in line with Armani’s wishes.
Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani began his career in window dressing before working as a designer for Nino Cerruti and eventually launching his own label in 1975. Over five decades, he built a fashion empire that became synonymous with understated luxury and timeless sophistication.
His death closes a chapter in fashion history, leaving behind a brand that has defined elegance for generations and a legacy that will endure long after him.
