Giorgio Armani, a prominent fashion designer credited with originally creating garments that brought celebrities to the red carpet, has died at the age of 91.
According to foreign media on the 4th (local time), the Giorgio Armani Group announced in a statement, "We announce with profound sadness the passing of Giorgio Armani, our founder, creator, and relentless driving force."
They further stated, "He worked tirelessly until the end, dedicating himself to the company, collections, and various ongoing and future projects."
Born in 1934 in Piacenza, Italy, Armani built his career before enlisting in the military in his early 20s. His first fashion career began in 1957 when he worked as a window dresser at La Rinascente department store in Milan.
In the 1960s, Armani designed men's clothing for Nino Cerruti and worked as a freelancer at several fashion houses until launching his eponymous brand in 1975, showcasing both men's and women's collections.
Armani quickly diversified his business, launching lines of Giorgio Armani swimwear, underwear, and accessories, and by the early 1980s, he released perfumes, Armani jeans, and Emporio Armani. Around the same time, he began designing costumes for films, and he is famous for designing costumes for several films, including the 1980 movie "American Gigolo."
He also opened a store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and hired LA-based journalist Wanda McDaniel to handle VIP promotion. In 1978, Diane Keaton won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the film "Annie Hall," and she became the first Hollywood star to wear Armani on the red carpet, donning an oversized beige Armani blazer that her character would likely have favored.
Other actresses, attending major events in dresses provided by movie studio costume departments, hesitated to opt for a new designer. For example, Michelle Pfeiffer is famously quoted as responding to the brand's proposal, "I can wear this myself; who is Giorgio Armani?"
Pfeiffer ultimately warmed to Armani and his designs, and at the 1990 Academy Awards, the designer dressed the star of "Scarface" and his stylish four companions (Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Jessica Lange, and Jessica Tandy), prompting Women's Wear Daily to call the evening "Armani Night."
As competitors like Valentino and Versace started to emerge on the red carpet, Armani's trend continued. In 1991, Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford wore Armani attire for their wedding, and the following year, Jodie Foster won an Academy Award for her role in "The Silence of the Lambs" wearing a softly colored suit designed by Armani.
In 2005, Armani launched the couture collection Armani Privé to mark the 30th anniversary of his brand, focusing even more on celebrity attire.
Meanwhile, it is still unknown who will lead the group following Giorgio Armani.
[Photo] ©Gettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)