Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91 on the 4th (local time) at his home in Milan. The Armani Group announced his death, stating that he "worked until the last day of his life."
According to foreign media such as The New York Times (NYT), Armani boldly redefined men's suits in the 1970s and 1980s with the 'unstructured jacket,' minimizing shoulder pads and canvas linings to reveal the natural lines of the body. This approach was extended to women's tailored suits and became an alternative to 'power dressing,' showcasing authority and strength for working women. On Wall Street, Madison Avenue, and in Hollywood executive offices, Armani suits became a uniform symbolizing authority.
His global recognition skyrocketed in conjunction with the film industry. The Armani suit worn by Richard Gere in the film "American Gigolo" (1980) showcased sensuality and freedom in men's fashion, becoming a pop culture icon. This opportunity transformed Armani from a mere designer into a name symbolizing stars and the red carpet. Numerous stars, including Jodie Foster, Cate Blanchett, Sophia Loren, Beyoncé, and George Clooney, chose his dresses and tuxedos. He also left behind style codes in pop culture, such as the bright jacket looks in the TV series "Miami Vice."
His business acumen was also exceptional. After establishing his own brand in 1975, he expanded his clothing line into fragrances, cosmetics, accessories, watches, and jewelry, and even ventured into the hotel and restaurant business. He broadened his activity areas by designing uniforms for airline crews and soccer teams, and in 2023, the group's revenue was about $2.65 billion (approximately 3.6 trillion won). He also devoted efforts to managing the brand's legacy by creating storage archives and museums.
Born in 1934 in Piacenza, he entered the fashion scene after going through medical school and working in the infirmary during his military service, taking on window dressing and buying tasks at Milan's La Rinascente department store. He later transitioned to freelancing after working on men's clothing lines at Cerruti and built his company alongside his lover and business partner Sergio Galeotti. Even after Galeotti passed away in 1985, he continued to lead the design and sustain the brand's growth.
Critics regarded him as a designer who made societal contributions comparable to Chanel. While there were criticisms that the words 'repetition' and 'restraint' were anachronistic, his aesthetics were reevaluated within the trends towards minimalism and a return to tailoring. He was a rare designer featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1982, setting a benchmark for contemporary fashion through retrospectives in the 2000s.
He strictly managed his private life and did not disclose plans for succession. Through the foundation he established in 2017, he aimed to promote the independence of unlisted corporations and the preservation of their legacies, with his long-time partner Pantaleo Dell'Orco helping to curate major collections until his later years. Survived by his sister Rosanna.