Giorgio Armani, the designer who created the style of the modern man, has passed away
September 7, 2025
In the world of fashion, there are names that stand for more than just a designer's talent. Giorgio Armani was one of them. The creator who defined the way successful people dressed in the 1980s became a style icon, a symbol of independence, and a master of understated elegance. He died at the age of 91, leaving behind not only a powerful empire but, above all, an aesthetic that transformed the face of contemporary elegance.
The Italian designer began his legendary rise at the age of 40, a fact that makes his story unique in itself. He began as a window dresser at Milan's La Rinascente department store. He then worked for Nino Cerruti for six years before deciding to go his own way. In 1975, after selling his Volkswagen Beetle, he founded his own company. From that moment on, his career accelerated, and the aesthetic vision he brought to the fashion world revolutionized not only the way we dress but also the way we think about clothes.
Armani understood that fashion is a tool of communication. His soft, slightly tailored jackets redefined the men's suit. Instead of the stiff silhouette of a businessman, Armani offered men freedom of movement, lightness, and timeless elegance. This aesthetic found its way into cinema – in the 1980 film "American Gigolo," Richard Gere wore Armani designs, which became a style icon of the era. A few years later, Grace Jones appeared in his creation on the cover of the album "Nightclubbing," and the TV series "Miami Vice" further cemented the 1980s as Armani's decade.
His designs always evoked the idea of harmony and tranquility—something that departed from the garishness of fashion. Armani designed not to shock, but to seduce with subtlety. He himself said that his goal was to create pieces that would endure. And indeed, his designs resist seasonal changes. From Emporio Armani to Armani Privé, each of his endeavors was a testament to a coherent vision and consistency.
As an entrepreneur, he was as extraordinary as a designer. He owned 100% of his company, Giorgio Armani SpA, which later expanded to include hotels, home furnishings, cosmetics, and accessories. The company generated annual revenues of over €2 billion, and the designer himself was estimated to have a net worth of around €11 billion. This makes him not only the most influential Italian designer in history but also one of the most powerful players in the entire luxury industry.
In one of our articles on independent brands, we highlighted the key characteristics of brands built by individual visionaries. Armani was a prime example of this – he didn't hand over the reins to anyone, rejected investor offers, and consistently protected the brand's independence. His decision not to merge with any fashion conglomerate was risky, yet brilliant – thanks to this, he retained full control of his legacy until the very end.
At the same time, Giorgio Armani was a man deeply rooted in values. He never succumbed to fascination with fame or scandal. He avoided social media, and didn't attend shows for show's sake. His presence was discreet but powerful. As Franca Sozzani, legendary editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, once observed: "Great designers don't create fashion—they create style. Armani was precisely that creator."
For Armani, clothing was a tool for expressing identity. His collections incorporated references to classical architecture, Japanese minimalism, and even Zen philosophy. All of this served to emphasize a single idea: less is more. His style inspired generations of designers and clients who sought more than just a passing trend.
Over time, his work extended beyond fashion. The interiors of Armani Hotels in Milan and Dubai embody the same refined style that made him a legend. In our article on the art of luxury architecture and interiors , we demonstrated how great creators can extend their design language to other areas of life. Armani was a master of this.
Although he collaborated for decades with the finest specialists – from Irene Pantene to Gabriella Forte – he always personally approved each collection. Until the very end of his life, he worked passionately, vetting each design before presenting it. It was this passion and perfectionism that were his hallmarks. "The need for perfection and the constant setting of new goals is a state of mind that gives life profound meaning," he once said. These words now resonate as his last will and testament.
In 1985, his life partner and co-creator of the brand's success, architect Sergio Galeotti, died. This loss profoundly affected Armani, but it did not break his resolve. In the following years, he built a team of loyal collaborators who helped him expand the brand's influence worldwide. Among them was Wanda McDaniel, who was responsible for the brand's success in Hollywood and on the red carpet.
For decades, Armani has shaped the notion of luxury, one that doesn't have to be ostentatious. He wasn't about a show of power or prestige on display—but about true class, evident in the details. His haute couture collections were never theatrical. They were subtle, focused on form, structure, the quality of materials, and the way clothing interacts with the body. Our article on redefining luxury captures much of his philosophy—a focus on what is real, lasting, and personal.
Armani's style wasn't just about fashion—it was a system of values. His death ends a chapter in the history of Italian design, but his legacy lives on. The Giorgio Armani brand continues to operate, managed according to a succession plan the designer had prepared in advance. Leo Dell'Orco, Armani's longtime collaborator, is now expected to play a key role in continuing this legacy.
The question of what comes next is natural. However, it's equally important, in the passing of such a distinguished figure, to pause and remember what he taught us. Armani taught us that fashion can be intelligent. That beauty can be quiet. That style endures. That true elegance begins with self-understanding.
This is not just a memoir about a great designer. It's also the story of a man who had the courage to be himself—and to build something around that value that will endure for generations.
Photo: ID 14345830 | Giorgio Armani © Fabio Mazzarotto | dreamstime.com
