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Giorgio Armani Dead at 91

Reknowned fashion designer made his mark in fine fragrance.

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By: TOM BRANNA

Chief Content Officer

Photo: Shutterstock/Obatala-photography

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani died. He was 91. Best known for his eponymous company, Armani, he gained prominence for his work at Cerruti 1881.

He formed Armani in 1975 and diversified into music, sports and of course, fine fragrance. By 2001, Armani had achieved widespread acclaim as the most successful designer of Italian origin, and he was widely credited with pioneering red carpet fashion, according to fashion experts.

Often referred to as the “King” or “the Maestro,” Armani was born in Piacenza, Italy, on July 11, 1934.

 “In this company, we have always felt like part of a family,” his employees and his family stated on Thursday. “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.”

The funeral chamber will be set up Saturday and Sunday at Via Bergognone 59, inside the Armani/Teatro, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In accordance with Armani’s explicit wishes, the funeral will be held privately.

The Armani fashion empire has annual sales of about $2.7 billion. While some speculated about the company’s future, Armani is determined to remain independent.

In a statement, the company noted it was built over five decades “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.”

Rivals Pay Tribute

Fashion rivals Ralph Lauren and Gucci paid tribute to Armani

“I have always had the deepest respect and admiration for Giorgio Armani, not only as a designer who never strayed from his vision but as a man who loved his family and friends and his homeland in such a special way,” Ralph Lauren said in a statement. “Though he was an icon of the world of fashion, he lived with great humility and a love of living that inspired the way he worked and the way he lived. He created a world reflecting all the things he loved with a foreverness that will be his legacy.”

The House of Gucci added in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of Armani who it described as “a true visionary.”

“Mr. Armani shaped the world of fashion in unforgettable ways, inspiring generations with his creativity, elegance, and entrepreneurial spirit. Together with all our employees, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his colleagues, and all those who were touched by his remarkable legacy,” they said.

A Household Name in Fine Fragrance

The Armani fine fragrance collection is a significant part of the larger Armani Group. It is a long-standing line with popular products like Acqua di Giò, My Way, and Sì. In 2018, L’Oréal and Armani renewed their license until 2050.

The Fragrance Foundation named Acqua di Gió Men’s Luxury Fragrance of the Year in 2024.

In his final interview, published just days before his death, Armani reflected back on his decades-old career, from his challenges to his highlights, as well as his regrets. “My only regret in life was spending too many hours working and not enough time with friends and family,” he told the Financial Times.

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