A Favorite Brand Among Hollywood Stars
A Symbol of Elegance and Minimalism
Giorgio Armani, a giant in the Italian fashion industry, passed away on the 4th (local time). He was 91 years old.
Italian designer Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91 on the 4th (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News
According to AFP and other sources, the Giorgio Armani Group announced in a statement on this day, "With endless sadness, we announce the passing of Giorgio Armani, our founder, creator, and the driving force behind our company." The group stated that he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones.
Nicknamed the "Emperor of Elegance" and the "Master of Minimalism," Armani was synonymous with modern Italian style, combining his unique sensibility with business acumen to lead a company generating approximately 2.3 billion euros in annual sales. Armani missed Milan Fashion Week for the first time last June due to health issues. During this month's Milan Fashion Week, he had planned a large-scale event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his signature brand, Giorgio Armani Fashion House.
Born in July 1934 in a small town south of Milan, Armani originally dreamed of becoming a doctor but entered the fashion world while working as a window dresser's assistant at a Milan department store. In 1975, together with his business partner and friend Sergio Galeotti, he sold their Volkswagen for $10,000 to launch a menswear label. The womenswear line debuted a year later.
The hallmark of his new style was the unlined sports jacket. Released in the late 1970s, this jacket made an immediate impact from Hollywood to Wall Street and became a huge success. He paired this jacket with a simple T-shirt, describing it as "the alpha and omega of the fashion alphabet."
Armani suits quickly became a wardrobe essential for wealthy men. Introducing pantsuits for women as workplace attire was also revolutionary. The "power suit," consisting of a jacket with shoulder pads and trousers tailored in a masculine style, became a symbol of the emerging class of businesswomen in the 1980s.
The 1980s classic film "American Gigolo" launched both Armani and actor Richard Gere into Hollywood stardom. Gere, dressed in Armani, rose to fame as a new American star, and Armani likewise became a popular designer. Thanks to his Hollywood connections, Armani earned costume credits for more than 200 films. In 2003, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Armani's fashion vision was a comfortable yet elegant style, where meticulous attention to detail made all the difference. He once said, "I design for real people. There is absolutely no value in creating impractical clothes and accessories." He also remarked, "I love things that do not change with time, that are timeless, and that set the highest standards."
It is not yet known who will lead the group after Armani. During his lifetime, Armani hinted that he was considering Leo Dell'Orco, who has long overseen menswear, and his niece Silvana Armani, who is in charge of womenswear, as possible successors.
The fashion industry mourned Armani's passing. French luxury group LVMH said, "He was the last of the post-war golden generation of fashion designers, creating the epitome of elegance year after year. His legacy will live on in the hearts of designers today and in the future." Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman of Kering Group, which owns Gucci and others, also said, "This Italian master's influence extended far beyond the fashion world and will continue to inspire generations to come."
Armani's funeral will be held privately, and no details have been released. However, on the 6th and 7th, a public memorial service will be held at the Armani Theater, where he presented his ready-to-wear collections.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
