Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who redefined modern tailoring and built a global lifestyle empire, died in Milan on September 4, 2025, at age 91. The announcement prompted an outpouring of condolences from fashion houses, industry chiefs and Hollywood figures who praised his creative vision, business acumen and enduring influence on global style.
Key Takeaways
- Giorgio Armani died in Milan on September 4, 2025, at 91; his passing prompted widespread tributes.
- Executives at LVMH, Kering and other luxury groups called him a visionary who internationalized Italian elegance.
- Designers across generations credited Armani with reshaping menswear and empowering women through tailored silhouettes.
- Retailers and department store executives recalled Armani’s commercial impact and long partnerships dating to the 1970s and 1980s.
- Celebrities and filmmakers noted Armani’s close ties to cinema and his influence on on‑screen style.
- The Armani brand’s lifestyle extensions — from casa to eyewear and beauty — were highlighted as part of his legacy.
Verified Facts
Armani died in Milan on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. Major industry organizations and luxury-group leaders released statements the same day, honoring his role as a formative figure in post‑war fashion and a builder of one of Italy’s most recognizable global brands.
Executives such as Bernard Arnault and François‑Henri Pinault offered public condolences, describing Armani as a visionary entrepreneur who translated an Italian aesthetic into a worldwide language of style. Retail leaders from Bergdorf Goodman to Saks recalled long commercial relationships that helped establish Armani as a defining ready‑to‑wear name in the U.S. and beyond.
Peers and younger designers credited Armani with technical and cultural innovations: the soft, unstructured jacket for men and the translation of menswear codes into women’s wardrobes; the expansion of a fashion house into lifestyle products including home collections, eyewear and beauty lines; and a commitment to consistency and craftsmanship that influenced multiple generations.
Film directors and actors recalled Armani’s collaborations with cinema, noting the designer’s ability to shape character and mood through costume — an influence that extended Armani’s reach into popular culture and celebrity style.
Context & Impact
Armani rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s by introducing a quieter, more natural approach to tailoring that contrasted with the structured silhouettes of earlier decades. That technical shift altered how both men and women dressed for work and public life, and it seeded entire segments of modern luxury retail.
The business model Armani built — a diversified brand spanning apparel, accessories, fragrance, home and hospitality — became a template for designers seeking to translate aesthetic authority into a global lifestyle presence. Industry leaders say that model helped stabilize luxury businesses by balancing creative output with broad commercial streams.
Beyond commerce, Armani’s mentorship and long tenure fostered careers for designers and executives who now lead houses across the industry. Many tributes emphasized that his stylistic codes — restraint, refinement, attention to proportion — will continue to guide fashion education and practice.
Official Statements
The LVMH Group said it learned of Armani’s passing with immense sadness, praising him as a member of the post‑war generation of designers who shaped modern elegance and expressing condolences to the Armani Group team.
LVMH Group (official statement)
Unconfirmed
- No authoritative public statement had been released at the time of reporting on the cause of death; media outlets were awaiting confirmation from Armani’s office or family.
- Details on funeral arrangements and the company’s immediate leadership plans were not yet available publicly.
Bottom Line
Giorgio Armani’s death marks the end of a career that reshaped both the language of tailoring and the structure of modern fashion business. While companies and institutions pay tribute in the days ahead, his practical changes to silhouette and a durable brand model are likely to remain reference points for designers, retailers and luxury strategists worldwide.