The Italian fashion designer and billionaire brand owner Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91. He was the archetype of Italian style and elegance, reimagining men's and women's suits for a modern audience. His company Armani expanded from fashion into an empire spanning beauty, fragrance, music, sport and even luxury hotels, bringing in more than £2bn a year.
Donatella Versace paid tribute to the late designer on her Instagram page, posting a picture of him, saying: The world lost a giant today, he made history and will be remembered forever.
In a statement on the brand's Instagram page, it said Armani worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects. The designer was seen as a pioneer in many ways, elevating red carpet fashion to what we see today. He was also the first designer to ban underweight models from the runway.
Russell Crowe described Armani as a man who made a mark acknowledged around the globe. Julia Roberts shared a picture of herself in an Armani dress alongside the designer with the words A true friend. A legend.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring lustre to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.
Starting his career in medicine, Armani moved to fashion in the 1960s and set up his own luxury label in 1975. Besides his fashion legacy, he was a sports fan and supported Serie A football team Inter Milan and owned the Olimpia Milano basketball team. His contributions to fashion earned him numerous accolades including the French Legion of Honour and Italian Order of Merit for Labour.
Donatella Versace paid tribute to the late designer on her Instagram page, posting a picture of him, saying: The world lost a giant today, he made history and will be remembered forever.
In a statement on the brand's Instagram page, it said Armani worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects. The designer was seen as a pioneer in many ways, elevating red carpet fashion to what we see today. He was also the first designer to ban underweight models from the runway.
Russell Crowe described Armani as a man who made a mark acknowledged around the globe. Julia Roberts shared a picture of herself in an Armani dress alongside the designer with the words A true friend. A legend.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring lustre to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.
Starting his career in medicine, Armani moved to fashion in the 1960s and set up his own luxury label in 1975. Besides his fashion legacy, he was a sports fan and supported Serie A football team Inter Milan and owned the Olimpia Milano basketball team. His contributions to fashion earned him numerous accolades including the French Legion of Honour and Italian Order of Merit for Labour.
