It all started with fashion and ended with it. The king of the suit, Giorgio Armani, has died at the age of 91, his fashion house has confirmed in a statement.
The fashion icon, who was the owner of a multi-billion-dollar empire, was planning an upcoming event to celebrate 50 years of his signature brand during the Milan Fashion Week this month. But fate had other plans.
The Armani Group has expressed its sorrow at the sudden demise of the Milanese designer. The fashion house commemorated him by calling him a creator, founder, and tireless driving force. “Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones,” the company said in a statement.
It also highlighted how Armani worked tirelessly during his final days as he dedicated himself to the company, the collectors, and other ongoing projects.
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That’s true to the core because he had several plans for the upcoming weeks. However, things seemed to go haywire when the senior designer missed his first runway show ever in June due to an unknown illness. The fashion designer, who is credited for spearheading the red carpet fashion and ready-to-wear outfits, was also a part of several Hollywood projects and worked with legendary actors like Richard Gere.
On the other hand, the Armani Group also said in the statement that the late designer’s family and employees will carry the fashion house forward in respect and continuity with his values. They also added that a funeral chamber will be prepared for September 6 and 7 for everyone to pay their last respects to the departed soul.
Giorgio Armani initially came into the picture with the introduction of his legendary ‘Armani Suits’ back in the 1970s. Post that, there was no stopping him as he laid the runway toward classical styles that continue to attract even today’s generations.
The late designer never married and had no children. He shared a good bond with his niece, Roberta, the daughter of his late brother Sergio. The latter quit acting to help her uncle in his business and served as the director of public relations for the group. Armani often avoided attending major events, which were taken care of by Roberta in his absence.
While she seems to be an eligible heir, Armani had made it clear earlier that the succession will not be as easy as it seems. Instead, the designer named Pantaleo (Leo) Dell’Orco, the long-term co-lead of Armani menswear, and his niece, Silvana Armani, who leads the womenswear section, as his successors. He had also named two more people in this regard: Rosanna Armani, his sister, and Andrea Camerana, his nephew.
Not only this, the Armani Group’s shares are also divided into six blocs for all the successors that he named. Now, with the designer’s sudden demise, it’s yet to be seen what the board decides on the succession front.
Currently, condolences pour in from all parts of the world as the fashion world mourns the loss of a legend who will be remembered forever.