Fashion legend Giorgio Armani dies at 91
Legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91, his company announced on Thursday.
According to La Repubblica, the clothier died at his home on September 4 after months of convalescence following a secret hospital stay.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said in a statement.
“Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the Armani Group added.
He had been unwell for some time and was forced to drop out of his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June, the first time in his career that he had missed one of his own catwalk events.
At the time, the company said he was “currently recovering at home,” without specifying his condition.
Known in Italy as “Re Giorgio” (King Giorgio) Armani was famed for his meticulous attention to detail, overseeing everything from the cut of his jackets to the placement of advertising campaigns. He often checked models’ hair himself before they stepped onto the runway.
Armani’s business generated some $2.7 billion in annual revenues. His minimalist elegance transformed global fashion, making his name one of the most recognized in the world.
Giorgio Armani, iconic Italian fashion designer, dies at 91
The legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died, the company he founded said Thursday. He was 91.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” it said.
Armani “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” it added. “Tireless, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, its collections, and the diverse and ever-evolving projects both existing and in progress.”
Armani had been unwell for some time, and his canceled appearance at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June was the first time in his career that he had missed one of his catwalk events. His last public appearance was on May 21.
The world lost a giant today, she wrote.
Known as “Re Giorgio” — or King Giorgio — he founded his eponymous company in 1975, and it soon became a byword for sleek, understated style that “extended from fashion to every aspect of life,” as the statement put it.
Its breakout moment came in 1980 when it designed the suits worn by Richard Gere in the movie “American Gigolo.” From there, it expanded into a global empire that covered everything from haute couture to high-street fashion, from eyeglasses to shoes, and even homeware.
Diane Keaton wore Armani’s first red-carpet design when she attended the Academy Awards in 1978. She won an Oscar for best actress for her role in “Annie Hall” that night.
Unlike many stars who wore gowns, Keaton wore a skirt and blazer designed by Armani. She wanted to appear as relatable first and a star second, Armani recalled in a 2020 interview with Grazia.
“It’s interesting to look back at this because, in 1978, all of us were adjusting how we thought of ourselves, socially and professionally,” he said. “In particular, women were discovering a new voice as professionals.”
More Giorgio Armani, iconic Italian fashion
Born in 1934 in the northern Italian town of Piacenza, he did not initially set out for a career designing clothes. After studying medicine and serving in the military, he began working in 1957 as a window dresser at Milan’s historic La Rinascente department store – a move that would start his lifelong association with Italy’s fashion capital.
Armani’s long list of honors included being named a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2021, one of the nation’s highest distinctions. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and in 2002 was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
Armani Group said a funeral chamber will be set up in Milan on Saturday and Sunday for well-wishers to pay their final respects; a private funeral will follow at a later date.
By RT News
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