AUCKLAND, Today: The fashion world is mourning Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer and billionaire brand owner, who has died at 91.
Armani became the face of Italian elegance, reinventing suits for men and women and shaping red-carpet fashion as we know it today.
Starting his label in 1975 with his late partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani built a global empire that stretched into fragrance, beauty, music, sport and luxury hotels, pulling in more than £2bn a year.
His brand said on Instagram that Armani “worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects.” They called him “indefatigable to the end” and “driven by relentless curiosity.”
Tributes poured in. Donatella Versace said, “The world lost a giant today, he made history and will be remembered forever.” Russell Crowe praised him as a man who “made a mark acknowledged around the globe.” Julia Roberts called him “A true friend. A legend.”
Paul Smith remembered his “down-to-earth nature and staying power,” while Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Armani was “an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy.”
“If you don’t know anything about fashion, you’ll still know Giorgio Armani.” – Laura Ingham
Armani’s influence went well beyond fashion. He dressed stars like Zendaya, Cate Blanchett and Julia Roberts for the Oscars, designed costumes for American Gigolo and The Wolf of Wall Street, and created stage outfits for Lady Gaga.
He was also ahead of his time in banning underweight models from the runway after Ana Carolina Reston’s death in 2006. His March 2025 collection even carried a political message, with Armani saying he “wanted to imagine new harmony.”
Concerns about his health surfaced in June when he missed Milan Fashion Week, though he still directed a couture show remotely in July. His last runway appearance was in January 2025 with model Agnes Zogla.
Vogue’s Laura Ingham called him a “true gentleman” and “titan of the industry,” adding, “If you don’t know anything about fashion, you’ll still know Giorgio Armani.”
Armani was also a passionate sports fan, backing Inter Milan, owning basketball team Olimpia Milano, and partnering with Ferrari’s F1 team. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said it was “a great honour” to have worked with him.
Honoured with the French Legion of Honour and Italy’s Order of Merit for Labour, Armani leaves behind a timeless legacy of elegance, influence and global style.
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