Italian fashion legend Giorgio Armani, king of a high-end lifestyle empire, has died at the age of 91, “surrounded by his loved ones”, his company said Thursday.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” it said in a statement.
The best-known contemporary designer, Armani opened his fashion house in Milan in 1975, quickly rising to the top of the industry and going on to dress the stars.
His funeral will be private, the group said, but well-wishers can pay respects beforehand at a funeral chamber open on Saturday and Sunday in Milan.
“Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the company said.
“Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects,” the company said.
Armani had cancelled his menswear show in Milan this year due to health reasons. He also missed the Paris Armani Prive show on doctors’ orders.
“In 20 years of Armani Prive, it’s the first time I’m not in Paris,” he said in a statement sent to AFP in July.
“My doctors advised more rest, even though I felt ready.”
He added that he had “followed and overseen every aspect of the show remotely”, stressing: “I approved and signed off on everything you will see.”
The Italian icon was credited with inventing red-carpet fashion, but also moved into a younger and less expensive range through Emporio Armani, and opened luxury hotels.
His death came just weeks ahead of celebrations marking 50 years of his eponymous label.
Italy’s Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli led the tributes, paying homage to “a leading figure in Italian culture, who was able to transform elegance into a universal language”.
“His understated and innovative style redefined the relationship between fashion, cinema, and society, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary culture,” he said.
“He was not only a master of fashion, but also a recognised ambassador of Italian identity around the world.”
Here are eight things you might not know about the designer.
1. The current cult of the bomber jacket can be traced back to Armani. The first pieces he designed under his own name were a series of leather bomber jackets in 1970.
2. He is a regular in rap lyrics, with Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West and TI recently giving Armani a shout-out. Biggie Smalls was also a fan – he had a penchant for Armani pyjamas, apparently.
3. His brand, with couture, ready-to-wear and Emporio lines on the catwalk, is big business. In 2012, the annual revenue reached £1.67bn. Armani himself is worth a cool £4.96bn, and is officially the most successful Italian designer ever.
4. Armani was well-versed in fashion before he went out on his own. He was a window dresser first, working at La Rinascente department store in Milan. Freelance gigs for Zegna, Cerruti and Loewe followed.
5. Armani loves sport. He is a fan of Inter Milan and is on the board of Olimpia Milano basketball team. If he had to pick a team in the Premier League, it would probably be Chelsea. He designed suits for the team and worked on the interiors at Stamford Bridge.
6. Fashion wasn’t his first career choice. Armani studied medicine and completed military service before deciding it wasclothes, not bandages, that were his calling.
7. The designer, who wears a uniform of navy, is a self-described perfectionist, even arguing in a Vogue interview that he was “10 times” worse than fashion’s most high-profile stickler, Mr Tom Ford.
8. Armani is practically fashion’s patron saint in Italy. He has designed uniforms for the police force, kitted out Milanese taxi drivers and even designed the cover of a gospels book for the pope.
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