Giorgio Armani, Italy’s leading fashion figure, has died at the age of 91 after a short illness, Italian media reported on Thursday.
Concerns had grown about the designer’s health after he missed two shows by his fashion house during Milan Fashion Week in June. His absence drew attention, as he had never missed a show. At the time, it was announced that he was recovering at home following a brief stay in hospital.
Armani was born in Piacenza in 1934 to a middle-class family, which later moved to Milan in 1949. In 1953, after passing his final high school exams with a focus on science, he began studying medicine. His education ended early due to compulsory military service.
He later worked as a window-dresser at La Rinascente department store in Milan, where he met stylist Nino Cerruti. Cerruti brought him into his fashion house as a designer.
There, Armani met Sergio Galeotti, who became his partner in launching the Armani fashion house in 1975.
The Armani label soon came to symbolise luxury, simplicity and elegance. The brand was closely associated with Hollywood, both in films and on red carpets.
Armani designed the costumes for Richard Gere in American Gigolò (1980), and went on to provide wardrobe for over 30 films, including Truth with Cate Blanchett and Elysium with Jodie Foster.
Blanchett and Foster were among many stars who wore Armani’s designs publicly, alongside Julia Roberts, Jessica Chastain, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Sofia Loren.
