Giorgio Armani, the Godfather of Menswear, Has Died at 91
Fashion — 09.05.25
Writing: Nastasia Rozenberg
Photos Courtesy of Getty Images
Giorgio Armani, the Godfather of Menswear, Has Died at 91
The iconic Italian fashion designer passed away “peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones”
Giorgio Armani and Naomi Campbell attend a private party, 1996
Giorgio Armani, godfather of menswear and Italian style, has passed away, according to an announcement released by his company yesterday morning. “With infinite sorrow, the Armani group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the statement reads.
Giorgio Armani at work
Armani remained a hands-on creative presence until the end. He continued to lead collections and company projects despite recent health issues. Earlier in the year, he missed multiple Milan runway shows— a first in his career— due to illness, although he continued overseeing them remotely.
“Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators [was] indefatigable to the end” and “he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects” continues the Armani company’s statement.
Giorgio Armani walks the runway at the "One Night Only Dubai" fashion show at the Armani Hotel Dubai, 2021
In a final interview with the Financial Times published on August 29th, Armani spoke of his succession plans:
“I want to the transition of responsibilities…to be organic and not a moment of rupture,” he said, pointing to trusted family members and longtime collaborators like Leo Dell’Orco as part of the future leadership.
Armani’s passing marks the end of an era in menswear and a monumental loss for fashion. After founding the Armani label, he soon redefined tailoring with his deconstructed, soft-shouldered silhouettes. His designs, such as the iconic "power suit," transformed red-carpet and onscreen fashion. Armani pioneered relaxed tailoring in the 1980s, and his classic designs graced icons from Richard Gere in American Gigolo to Cate Blanchett on Oscar night. He costumed hundreds of films over the decades and was featured in Martin Scorcese’s 1990 documentary Made in Milan, which follows Armani’s preparation for a fashion show.
Giorgio Armani with Grace Jones at Giorgio Armani Retrospective New York
One of his most talked-about modern moments came when Julia Roberts wore a men’s-inspired oversized Armani suit to the 1990 Golden Globes— a look echoed decades later by Emma Roberts in her own tailored Armani ensemble, proving his vision remains timeless.
Julia Roberts in Armani at the 1990 Golden Globe Awards
A public viewing will be held this weekend, from September 6th to 7th, at Milan’s Armani Teatro, followed by a private funeral as per Armani’s wishes. Despite his passing, the company and his trusted inner circle have pledged to uphold his vision. “It is precisely in his spirit that we…commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love,” they wrote in the statement from the Armani Group.
Giorgio Armani and his dog pose during an interview in the designer's Milan home, 1972
Giorgio Armani was born in Piacenza in 1934 and initially studied medicine before pivoting to fashion. He founded his eponymous label in 1975 with partner Sergio Galeotti, which expanded into Emporio Armani, Armani Privé, beauty, home design, sportswear, and even hospitality. Remarkably, he maintained full ownership and creative authority over the company, staying proudly independent from fashion conglomerates for 50 years. “Over the years, Giorgio Armani has crafted a vision that expanded from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and pragmatism,” the house stated yesterday. "He has been driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people. Along this journey, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to connect with everyone. Always mindful of the needs of the community, he has been active on many fronts, especially in support of his beloved Milan."