Giorgio Armani’s Legacy: The Revolutionary Designer Who Transformed Global Fashion

A Fashion Icon’s Final Farewell

The fashion world mourns the loss of Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who has died at 91. The legendary designer was renowned for creating a quintessentially Italian aesthetic in his clothes and elevating Hollywood’s red carpet fashion to new heights.

Revolutionary Impact on Fashion

Armani’s revolutionary contribution to fashion was epitomized by his famous deconstructed jacket, which first gained global attention when worn by Richard Gere in the 1980 film ‘American Gigolo.’ This signature piece transformed women’s wardrobes, offering versatility that took them from work to evening occasions with unprecedented ease.

As noted by Anna Wintour, Armani’s clear vision and understanding of power, attitude, and elegance was unmatched in fashion. His designs particularly resonated with women as they asserted themselves professionally through the 1970s, 1980s, and beyond.

Business Empire and Legacy

In today’s luxury landscape dominated by conglomerates, Armani stood out as one of the few designers who remained the sole shareholder of his company. The Armani business, valued between 8 to 10 billion euros in 2024, faces questions about succession.

To preserve his legacy, Armani established a foundation as a succession tool to prevent his business empire from being split up. The creative succession is planned to go to his longtime collaborator Leo Dell’Orco and his niece Silvana.

Final Projects and Celebrations

Before his passing, Armani had launched several significant projects, including the Armani/Archivio digital platform showcasing his complete collection catalogue. The brand was preparing for its spring 2026 womenswear collection presentation at Palazzo Brera, while also celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Privé haute couture collection with an exhibition titled ‘Giorgio Armani Privé 2005-2025’ at the Armani/Silos space in Milan.