He initially pursued medicine, before setting his sights on fashion, where his true calling awaited. His early career saw him working as a window dresser and sales clerk at Milan’s La Rinascente before honing his craft under Nino Cerruti in the 1960s. In 1975, alongside business partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani founded his eponymous label ‘Giorgio Armani S.p.A.’, marking the launch of his ready-to-wear collections for both men and women. By the 1980s, Armani had already established himself as a titan of Italian fashion, celebrated for introducing a softer, more elegant silhouette in men’s tailoring that transformed traditional power dressing and redefined global style norms.
Armani’s breakthrough moment came in 1980 when Richard Gere donned one of his suits in American Gigolo, setting in motion a profound bond with Hollywood that would elevate his brand from couture to cultural iconography. His designs 01 soon became a staple for the red carpet and silver screen, blending minimalist aesthetics with sensual sophistication, a hallmark of Armani’s creative signature.
What set Armani apart was more than just his designs. It was his uncompromising control over his creative empire. He remained the sole shareholder of his brand, overseeing everything from manufacturing to store layout, ensuring unwavering consistency while expanding into fragrances, home décor, hotels, and beyond. His ventures grew to include iconic watch collections, Armani/Casa interiors, and the luxurious Armani Hotel in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.
An ardent advocate for art and culture, Armani became the first fashion designer to receive a solo exhibition at New York’s Guggenheim Museum in 2000, a landmark that elevated fashion within the institutional art world. In 2015, he inaugurated Armani/Silos in Milan, a monumental archive and exhibition space dedicated to bridging fashion, photography, and visual culture.
In his final days, Armani reflected on the personal cost of a life devoted to work. He candidly shared, “My only regret in life was spending too many hours working and not enough time with friends and family”. His passing at the age of 91 prompted an outpouring of global admiration. Thousands gathered outside his Milan headquarters to pay homage, while Milan declared a day of national mourning. Tributes recognized him as “the master of luxury ready-to-wear,” a visionary who redefined elegance through quiet refinement and enduring style.
Giorgio Armani lived his life in service of beauty, restraint, and authenticity. His vision will endure and continue to shape the definition of elegance.
