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Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer who revolutionised the fashion industry with his minimalist yet elegant style, passed away at the age of 91.
Armani's journey into fashion began unexpectedly. Originally dreaming of becoming a doctor, he found himself working as a window decorator in a Milan department store. This part-time job opened his eyes to the world of fashion, and in 1975, he and his partner Sergio Galeotti started their own menswear ready-to-wear label with $10,000 from the sale of their Volkswagen. Womenswear followed a year later.
The liningless sports jacket, launched by Armani in the late 1970s, became an instant success, making waves from Hollywood to Wall Street. For women, the introduction of the pantsuit in the executive workroom was all but revolutionary and became the trademark of the rising class of businesswomen in the 1980s. Dressed in Armani, actor Richard Gere became America's new favourite heartthrob, and Armani earned a Hollywood connection that led to wardrobe credits in over 200 films.
Armani's fashion vision was that of easygoing elegance where attention to detail made the difference. He paired the jacket with a simple T-shirt, an item of clothing he termed "the alpha and omega of the fashion alphabet." The Armani suit became a must in the closet of the well-heeled man.
Condolences and remembrances poured in from political leaders and other Milan fashion designers. At the time of his death, Armani had an empire worth over $10 billion. This empire included clothing, accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers, chocolates, and more.
Armani's empire had an army of more than 9,000 employees, with women comprising half the executive suite. He owned several bars, restaurants, and clubs, and his basketball team, Olympia Milano. In 2003, Armani was awarded a place on Rodeo Drive's "Walk of Style."
Armani was a staunch supporter of the battle against AIDS and was named a U.N. goodwill ambassador for refugees in 2002. A public viewing will be held in the Armani Theater on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a private funeral.
The Archivio Armani, the digital archive of the Giorgio Armani fashion house, was founded in 2012. Armani died at home, surrounded by his loved ones. His influence on the fashion industry will continue to be felt for years to come.
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