World of Fashion
The Fashion World Mourns Giorgio Armani
by Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh, Senior International Correspondent
As a key figure in the Italian fashion miracle, he changed the style of clothing for both women and men with his deconstructionist approach to design. Over the course of five decades, he built a billion-dollar business. On Thursday, September 4, Giorgio Armani passed away in Milan. The founder and creative mind behind the luxury brand of the same name was 91 years old.
Until his final days, he devoted himself tirelessly to his work and was involved in both current and future projects, according to the announcement by his company. Armani's secret to success was tireless dedication to his work, perfectionism, and the desire to continuously develop himself further. “What sets me apart is my ability to adapt to changing times,” the designer and fashion entrepreneur said of himself.
Giorgio Armani leaves behind a lasting legacy for his creative impact on a contemporary design style in dressing and interior design, as well as his multibillion-dollar empire, spanning far beyond fashion and accessories into fragrances, furniture, and decoration for private homes, but also bars, hotels, and restaurants.
Worldwide, Gruppo Armani has most recently generated annual sales of over €2 billion, employs around 6,500 people, and is represented in 60 countries. Giorgio Armani himself was one of the richest men in Italy. His personal fortune was estimated to be almost $12 billion as of 2024.
His last will: Armani Group to be sold in stagesGiorgio Armani has laid out precise instructions for the future of his fashion house in his will. According to the wishes of the late fashion designer and entrepreneur, shares in the Italian fashion house of the same name are to be sold off in stages. In his will, Armani stipulated that 15% of the company should be sold within a year and a half, as reported by the ANSA news agency recently.
Three to five years after Armani's death, a further 30% to a maximum of 54.9% of the shares should be sold. Alternatively, the will provides for an initial public offering. According to ANSA, Armani named international industry giants, including luxury goods group LVMH, cosmetics manufacturer L'Oréal, and eyewear supplier Essilor Luxottica, as preferred buyers. However, Armani's heirs should also consider other fashion and luxury companies with which the company has business relationships for a future sale of the house.
Partner, family, and foundation take controlInitially, control of the company will be transferred to the Giorgio Armani Foundation. Pantaleo Dell'Orco, Armani's life and business partner, will receive 40 percent of the voting rights in the fashion company. An additional 30 percent of the voting rights will go to the foundation, while Armani's niece and nephew, Silvana Armani and Andrea Camerana, will each receive 15 percent, according to ANSA.
The will also stipulates who inherits the Armani real estate holdings. The sister of the deceased, Rosanna, and his niece and nephews will receive most of it, while Dell'Orco will receive the Armani residence in the center of Milan.
Armani had no children. His nephews Silvana and Roberta, the children of his brother Sergio, and Andrea Camerana, the son of his sister Rosanna, are represented on the company's supervisory board. Niece Silvana Armani is active in the company as director of the women's collection.
As head of Armani Group's men's style office, Pantaleo, aka Leo dell'Orco, had been working with Armani for 45 years. Often seen accompanying Armani on stage, it was he who appeared on the catwalk instead of the Maestro at the last Milan Fashion Week.
Woman’s Wear F-W 1990 - built around three aesthetic registers intertwining fluidly: an avant-garde tension linked to the reconstruction of the jacket, a reference to the Mongolian imagery. These elements are absorbed and reworked into a stylistic language that favors the layering of references and continuity between everyday and ceremonial wear. Photo: Armani Archives
Costume designer for around 250 motion pictures, including Richard Gere's wardrobe in “American Gigolo,” “The Untouchables,” “Goodfellas,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” © Movie poster: Paramount Pictures
Reformer of men's fashion. Three-piece deconstructed suit from collection S-S 1990, made of linen in sand-colored cupro: double-breasted jacket features a shawl collar, wide-leg trousers equipped with waistband, zip fly, front pleats, and four pockets. The linen vest picks up on classic cut lines. Photo: Armani Archives
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“Re Giorgio” – King Giorgio, as he was respectfully nicknamed, personally oversaw every detail of his collections – from design and advertising campaigns to the organization of fashion shows.
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A remarkable life historyGiorgio Armani, born in 1934 in Piacenza, northern Italy, as the first of three children, moved to Milan at the age of 20. There, he initially worked as a freelancer, including for the Rinascente department store chain, until Nino Cerruti brought him on board along with the launch of the menswear brand Hitman.
In 1975, Armani founded the fashion house named after him. By now 41 years young, he took the plunge into self-employment, partly because he knew he had his life and business partner Sergio Galeotti by his side. It was the beginning of a rapid rise to fame – his austere yet fluid style is simply suitable for all occasions, from the office to the red carpet. The neologism “greige” originates from him, reflecting Armani's affinity for a fusion of gray and beige shades.
Armani systematically expanded his business areas. In addition to women's and men's fashion in various lines for different market segments, he successfully launched new product categories, including accessories, Armani fragrances, and even interior design products with the Armani Casa line. Today, his company is one of the largest independent fashion houses. Giorgio Armani became a key figure in the development of Italian fashion into a global brand.
Niece Roberta Armani, Giorgio Armani, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Cate Blanchett (from left to right) Photo: courtesy Gruppo Armani
Idols of the fashion film world and best buddies: Sophia e Giorgio.
1982: “Giorgios Gorgeous Style” – Cover Story with Time Magazine.
Credits: Bob Krieger/Armani Archives
Ensemble in blush pink silk: Jacket features a mandarin collar, asymmetrical closure and horizontal double-welt pockets. Trousers with side pockets and a zip closure on the left side are crafted in same shade from shantung silk. Photo Armani Archives