Giorgio Armani dead: Fashion designer and billionaire dies at 91 as tributes pour in

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91 after an making his mark on the fashion world.

Armani's team released a poignant statement following his death, confirming that he died 'peacefully surrounded by his loved ones." they added that the much-loved fashion designer had been working right up until his death because he was so passionate about his craft.

"With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” a statement read on Thursday.

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"Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects."

"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. 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.

"Giorgio Armani is a company with fifty years of history, built with emotion and patience. Giorgio Armani always made independence - of thought and action - his hallmark. The company is, now and always, a reflection of this spirit. His family and employees will carry the Group forward in respect and continuity of these values.

"In this company, we have always felt like part of a family. Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication.

"But it is precisely in his spirit that we, the employees and the family members who have always worked alongside Mr. Armani, commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love," his employees and family shared in the statement.

Armani's funeral details have also been announced as the statement continued: "The funeral chamber will be set up from Saturday, September 6th to Sunday, September 7th, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Milan, at Via Bergognone 59, inside the Armani/Teatro. In accordance with Mr. Armani's explicit wishes, the funeral will be held privately."

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 catwalk events.

Commonly known as Armani, his Italian luxury fashion house founded in Milan designs, manufactures, distributes and retails haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, accessories, and home interiors.

The fashion designer was born in Piacenza in northern Italy. While in secondary school, he wanted to work in medicine and even enrolled at the University of Milan for it but after three years, he left and joined the army.

As he had a medical background, he was assigned to the Military Hospital in Verona, where he attended shows at the Arena. After some time, the star decided on a brand new career path.

The talented designer was best known for pioneering incredible and high-end fashion pieces for glamorous red carpet events including the Golden Globes, The Oscars, and The Met Gala.

Armani became a window dresser and sales clerk at La Rinascente in Mila in 1957, and not long after, he was responsible for showcasing the earliest garments of the Finnish textiles, clothing and home furnishings company, Marimekko.

The beloved designer became a seller for the menswear department and in the 60s, moved to the Nino Cerruti company where he designed menswear for a decade.

With an empire of more than £7.44bn at the time of his death, his work expanded beyond clothes to home furnishings, perfumes, books, flowers, bars, clubs, and restaurants. He was also a revered businessman, with his company bringing in more than £2bn a year.

He also owned the basketball team EA7 Armani Milan, better known as Olimpia Milano.

In the fashion world, he put Italian ready-to-wear style on the map in the late 1970s with his signature 'Armani suit' before adapting its classic style for women with the launch of the female 'power suit' in the 1980s.

Armani, or Re Giorgio (King Giorgio) as he was widely known, worked on several iconic films and personally with many Hollywood stars, including Richard Gere on American Gigolo in 1980.

His work on the red carpet has cemented his reputation as a master of timeless elegance. Known for his sleek lines, refined tailoring, and understated glamour, Armani has dressed some of the most iconic celebrities of all time. F

rom Hollywood royalty to global music stars, his designs consistently strike the perfect balance between sophistication and modernity.

Among his standout moments are the dazzling gowns and suits worn by Julia Roberts, Victoria Beckham, Beyonce, and many more as each embodying Armani’s signature style which is all about clean silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and subtle yet powerful detailing.

Armani has also been a pioneer in menswear, with his sharply tailored tuxedos redefining red carpet dressing for leading men. Stars such as George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio frequently turn to his designs for their most important appearances.

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