Giorgio Armani, one of Italy’s most influential fashion designers, has died at the age of 91, the Armani Group confirmed on Thursday, September 4.
Over decades of work, Armani defined a distinctly Italian style and reshaped Hollywood red carpet fashion.
«Il Signor Armani, as he was respectfully known to colleagues and staff, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones,» the Armani Group said, describing him as «a tireless driving force.»
In a joint statement, his family and employees said:
«In this company, we have always felt like part of a family. Today, with deep emotion, we feel the absence of the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion and dedication. It is in his spirit that we, the employees and family members who worked alongside Mr Armani, will protect what he built and carry it forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility and love.»
Absent from His Own Runway
In June 2025, Armani missed his brand’s menswear show at Milan Fashion Week for the first time in his career. The company said at the time that he was recovering at home, without disclosing details about his health.
Unlike many luxury houses now owned by giants, Armani remained the sole shareholder of his company. Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence valued the business in 2024 at between 8 and 10 bn euros ($9.3 to $11.7 bn). There is currently no clear successor to lead the brand.
A Career Marked by Milestones
This month’s Milan Fashion Week had been set to feature events marking the 50th anniversary of the Armani label, including an exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera — the museum’s first dedicated to fashion — and a runway show at Palazzo Brera.
In August, Giorgio Armani appeared on the cover of the Financial Times’ HTSI magazine. In the feature he reflected on his career and enduring commitment to his craft:
«I don’t know if I’d use the word workaholic, but hard work is certainly essential to success. My only regret in life was spending too many hours working and not enough time with friends and family.»
Kursiv Uzbekistan earlier prepared an article commemorating 50-year anniversary of the brand.
