Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91, his company announced Thursday.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said in a statement.
A funeral chamber will be set up on Saturday and Sunday in Milan, the company stated, followed by a private funeral at a later date.
Known as “Re Giorgio” — King Giorgio — Armani dressed everyone from Hollywood stars to world leaders.
His health had been in decline for some time, and, for the first time in his career, he was forced to miss his group’s shows at Milan Men’s Fashion Week in June.
Just days before his death, Armani outlined his plans for the succession of the brand he founded in 1975, saying: “My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me... such as Leo Dell’Orco, the members of my family and the entire working team.”
Follow below for live updates and tributes from across the fashion industry and beyond
Giorgio Armani death latest: Key points
- Giorgio Armani, legendary Italian fashion designer, dead aged 91
- Julia Roberts calls Armani a 'true friend'
- Donatella Versace pays tribute
- Armani detailed succession plan days before his death
Italian football pays its respects
17:37 , Kevin Perry
Giorgio Armani was a lifelong fan of Milan team Internazionale, who paid tribute to the designer in a post on X: “The world mourns the passing of Giorgio Armani: an icon of our city, a fashion legend who, with his creativity and elegance, embodied Italian style across the world, while also promoting the sporting excellence of our city, Milano.
“FC Internazionale Milano extends its deepest condolences to his loved ones at this difficult time.”
City rivals AC Milan also paid their respects, saying in a statement: “All of AC Milan mourns the passing of Giorgio Armani, a global icon of style and elegance, a symbol of the city of Milan. Our deepest condolences to the family and all his loved ones.”
Just last month, Armani collaborated with another Serie A team, Juventus, to design a formal wardrobe for the club. They added: “Juventus joins in the mourning for the passing of Giorgio Armani, a timeless icon of Italian elegance and style.”
Cindy Crawford says Armani was 'a true master of his craft'
17:11 , Kevin Perry
Cindy Crawford has a long working relationship with Armani that also extended into her personal life: When she eloped with Richard Gere in 1991, she wore a navy Armani suit instead of a dress.
On Instagram, Crawford wrote: “Heartbroken to hear about the passing of a legend, Giorgio Armani. A true master of his craft.”
Julia Roberts calls Armani a 'true friend'
16:42 , Kevin Perry
Armani dressed Julia Roberts on many occasions - perhaps most famously providing the oversized suit she wore to the Golden Globes in 1990.
On Instagram, Roberts shared a photograph of herself beside the late designer with the caption: “A true friend. A Legend.”
Charles Leclerc recalls 'great honour' of working with Armani
16:26 , Kevin Perry
Formula One’s Charles Leclerc was a brand ambassador for Armani.
On Instagram, the Ferrari driver wrote: “A great honour to have had the chance to meet and work with such an amazing person. You will be missed Giorgio.”
Russell Crowe remembers buying his first Armani suit
15:54 , Tom Murray“Giorgio. 1997 at the Cannes film festival, after my bag was lost in transit, LA Confidential producer Arnon Milchan sent me to the Armani store with a credit card to get a suit for the premiere,” the Gladiator star remembered on X. “That began a love affair with Armani suits that continues to this day.
“Mr Armani has made a deep contribution, to fashion, to design, to popular culture. His energy, vision and finesse has made a mark acknowledged around the globe. I adored him. He was so kind. So many significant moments in my life, awards, wedding, Wimbledon… all in Armani.
“I have been looking forward to seeing him, plans were in place for Milan at the end of this month. Alas… What a life he had, from his beginnings to his glory. Grazie Giorgio vivrai sempre nel mio cuore.”
Giorgio.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 4, 2025
1997 at the Cannes film festival, after my bag was lost in transit, LA Confidential producer Arnon Milchan sent me to the Armani store with a credit card to get a suit for the premiere.
That began a love affair with Armani suits that continues to this day.
Mr Armani
Armani's full statement to its late founder
15:44 , Tom MurrayAfter announcing the news of his death, Armani paid a lengthier tribute to its leader on social media.
“In this company, we have always felt like part of a family,” the company said in the statement.
“We, the employees and the family members, who have always worked alongside Mr. Armani, commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love,” it added.
Armani with famous faces over the years:
15:40 , Tom MurrayArmani was known for dressing celebrities, from Beyoncé to Richard Gere.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanks Armani for inspiring the world with his fashion
15:23 , Tom Murray“Giorgio Armani leaves us at the age of 91,” the Italian PM shared on social media. “With his elegance, sobriety and creativity, he was able to bring luster to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.”
Ci lascia a 91 anni Giorgio Armani. Con la sua eleganza, sobrietà e creatività ha saputo dare lustro alla moda italiana e ispirare il mondo intero. Un’icona, un lavoratore instancabile, un simbolo dell’Italia migliore. Grazie di tutto. pic.twitter.com/Rwyu4mXW54
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) September 4, 2025
Diane Kruger calls Armani 'one of the nicest people and mentors'
15:21 , Tom MurrayGerman actor Diane Kruger remembered Armani as “one of the nicest people and mentors I was lucky enough to meet and work with.”
“Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Giorgio Armani,” she wrote on Instagram. “Thinking about Roberta and his family and everyone who worked with him.”
Last year, Kruger paid tribute to the designer on his 90th birthday and thanked him for casting her as the face of Aqua di Gio when she was just 16.
“You have been a creative and life changing influence in my life,” she said at the time.
Donatella Versace pays tribute
15:04 , Tom MurrayDonatella Versace, currently Versace’s chief brand ambassador, was among the first to pay tribute to Armani.
“The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever,” she wrote on Instagram.
Armani and Versace were long seen as rivals, occasionally trading barbed comments about each other in interviews. However, tensions mellowed in later years, especially after Gianni Versace’s death in 1997.
Armani detailed succession plan days before his death
14:52 , Tom MurrayIn an interview with the Financial Times, Armani outlined his plans for the succession of the brand he founded in 1975, saying: “My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me... such as Leo Dell’Orco, the members of my family and the entire working team,” to the FT’s How To Spend It supplement last Friday.
Before skipping Milan in June, Armani, who was both creative director and CEO of the company, had never missed one of his catwalk events.
“I would like the succession to be organic and not a moment of rupture,” Armani added.
Armani is sole shareholder of the company he set up with his late partner Sergio Galeotti, which generated revenue of €2.3 billion ($2.69 billion) in 2024.
Giorgio Armani, legendary Italian fashion designer, dead aged 91
14:43 , Tom MurrayThe Italian-born billionaire, who revolutionised fashion with his off-the-rack menswear range, died at home on Thursday.
He is credited for giving working women in the Eighties a wardrobe of feminine, timeless and wearable suits for them to wear to the office. He would say later in his career that he designed elegant styles for the “public, not the fashion industry”.
After the launch of his eponymous label in 1975, the designer oversaw the expansion of his signature menswear line into an international luxury fashion empire, including Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange and a higher-end Giorgio Armani line, to also offering accessories, footwear, cosmetics and home decor.
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Giorgio Armani, legendary Italian fashion designer, dies aged 91
