The Death of Italian Elegance Legend Giorgio Armani at the Age of 91

The Armani Group announced on Thursday the death of its founder and legendary designer Giorgio Armani at the age of 91, confirming in an official statement that "he passed away surrounded by his loved ones," after an extraordinary career that spanned more than six decades in the fashion world.

The company described Armani as "the tireless driving force," as he combined the taste of a designer with the savvy of a businessman, managing a global empire that generates more than 2.3 billion euros annually, and includes diverse lines such as Armani Privé, Emporio Armani, Armani Casa, and Armani Exchange.

Armani was born in southern Milan to a simple family and began his career in 1957 after abandoning his medical studies due to his inability to stand the sight of blood. In 1975, he sold his white Volkswagen car to finance his own company, and he would draw and print the fabric himself to save costs.

Armani designed outfits for more than 250 films, most notably American Gigolo, which dressed star Richard Gere, and his name became associated with the elegance of George Clooney in the Ocean film series. He believed that stars are the best ambassadors for his designs, which were characterized by their upscale minimalism.

Armani owned nine homes around the world and a luxurious 150-foot yacht. He was a vegetarian who did not eat meat and refused to include skinny models in his shows after the death of model Luisel Ramos in 2006, affirming his support for a healthy body. He was also known for his rejection of debt and his insistence on managing his company himself without partners.

Armani was the first to create the puffy bomber jacket in 1970, and he hated the idea of designing seasonal collections, believing that beautiful designs should transcend seasons, but he would yield to market demands and design each season.

With the passing of Giorgio Armani, the fashion world loses one of its most prominent and influential icons, leaving behind a creative and humanitarian legacy that will remain present in the memory of global elegance.