Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer who forever changed the way power players dressed with his soft-shouldered suits, affinity for griege and understanding of what, exactly, fashion could bring to Hollywood, died on Thursday at 91, just before a major celebration of his brand’s 50 years in business.
In an age of conglomerates, he created the rare independent empire, one that extended from clothes to hotels, restaurants and apartments, and he remained in control until the end. He began his career as an architect and vaulted into the public consciousness via “American Gigolo” but ultimately understood that fashion was a way to build not just buildings but entire worlds.
For him, taste — ideally his own — was a value to be applied to every aspect of life, and he did so with élan. Armaniland was a place of calm, elegance and a very Italian bella figura. Little wonder so many wanted to join.
Giorgio Armani adjusts models for a spring 1978 fashion show.
Though his designs were dramatic, Mr. Armani loved to wear a simple white tee.
Armani runways shows were known to have multiple models walking out simultaneously.
Mr. Armani was known to be hands on with his design team, obsessing over small details and fostering generations of talent.
Armani preparing a fashion show in Place Saint-Sulpice in Paris in 1998.
From left: Anna Wintour, Roberta Armani, Giorgio Armani, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Julia Roberts and George Clooney.
Armani, at his fashion show in New York in 1993.
Giorgio Armani, Silvana Armani, Sergio Galeotti and staff members pose in selections from Armani’s ready-to-wear collection.
Armani during the preparation of his fall collection in 1983.
The designer with models.
The designer backstage with the models at a 2008 Emporio Armani fashion show in Milan.
Cate Blanchett with Armani at the Fashion Awards in London in 2019.
Armani greets the audience at the end of his 2015 spring/summer show in Milan.