Giorgio Armani, the Italian fashion powerhouse whose understated elegance defined multiple generations, died today, at the age of 91, his company confirmed.

He passed away peacefully at home in Milan, surrounded by loved ones. He remained active in the company and led the brand he founded even in his final days.

Armani’s creative journey began unofficially in the late 1950s. Initially a medical student, he dropped out to join the army, but completely changed careers as a retailer at Milan’s Rinascente.

He gained further experience under the tutelage of Nino Cerruti and refined his craft with leading Italian houses before launching his eponymous label in 1975, with his partner Sergio Galeotti.

From the beginning, Armani’s minimalist aesthetic and revolutionary soft tailoring quickly imprinted themselves on the global fashion scene, offering an alternative to the structured silhouettes of the time.

He didn’t just design clothes; he created a lifestyle brand. Under his firm, successful ready-to-wear, couture, accessories, fragrances, home decor, restaurants, hotels, and even sports ventures expanded the Armani Universe. 

By the time of his passing, the empire he built was valued at over $14 billion, placing him firmly among the world’s most influential fashion entrepreneurs.

Even in recent years, Armani remained the face and mind of his brand. In an August interview with The Financial Times, he reflected candidly on his life’s regret. “My only regret in life was spending too many hours working and not enough time with friends and family.”

Plans for Armani’s 50th-anniversary celebration during this month’s Milan Fashion Week were already underway. Now the event will carry a profoundly different meaning.

The world of fashion responded instantly. Legendary peers like Donatella Versace shared sorrow and tribute. “The world has lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever.”

Moncler’s CEO Remo Ruffini encapsulated Armani’s legacy perfectly.  “‘Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered.’ Thank you, Giorgio.”

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the designer for bringing “ luster to Italian fashion and inspiring the entire world.”

At heart, Armani was much more than a designer; he was a cultural architect who changed how the world dressed, presented, and saw itself. Today, Milan mourns, the ateliers reflect in silence, and the silhouettes he created – clean, confident, composed – carry forward his legacy.