The passing of designer Giorgio Armani, the Godfather of Italian style, has left the fashion fraternity in shock. “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 on Thursday.
According to Reuters, Armani (91), had been unwell for some time, and was forced to drop out of his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June. Known as “Re Giorgio” aka King Giorgio, the designer was known for overseeing every detail of his collection and every aspect of his business, from advertising to fixing models’ hair as they head out onto the runway.
In 2019, Armani was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards, honoured for “his outstanding contribution to the global fashion industry, his creativity and vision of timeless style and care for detail, that have provided such inspiration to so many in the industry.” He was presented the award by friends of the house Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett.
Sonam and Armani (Source: Instagram/@sonamkapoor)
Condolences pour in
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to X to express her deepest condolences at the stalwart’s demise: “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 (Giorgio Armani leaves us at 91 years old. 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. Adieu),” she wrote.
Donatella Versace added, “The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever.”
Bollywood icon Sonam Kapoor and her sister Rhea also remembered the Italian mogul by sharing stories on their social media. “Thank you Mr Armani, you will be missed,” Sonam mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post.
Sonam Kapoor remembers Armani via her Instagram story (Source: Instagram/@sonamkapoor)
Taking to Instagram, the fashion atelier issued a long, drawn statement: “II Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.
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Over the years, Giorgio Armani has crafted a vision that expanded from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and pragmatism. He has been driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people. Along this journey, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to connect with everyone. Always mindful of the needs of the community, he has been active on many fronts, especially in support of his beloved Milan.”
According to the Armani fashion house, the funeral chamber will be set up from Saturday, September 6th, to Sunday, September 7th, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Milan, inside the Armani/Teatro. “In accordance with Mr. Armani’s explicit wishes, the funeral will be held privately,” further read the statement.
