Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer who transformed the way the world dresses, has died at the age of 91. Hailed as one of the most influential names in fashion since Coco Chanel, Armani will be remembered for softening menswear, empowering women in the workplace, and creating a timeless elegance that spanned decades.

From Hunger to Haute Couture

Born in Piacenza, northern Italy, on 11 July 1934, Armani’s childhood was marked by the hardships of war. He often recalled playing with unexploded shells in the streets and said his earliest memory was hunger. “War,” he later reflected, “taught me that not everything is glamorous.”

Armani first studied medicine but dropped out after three years, later serving briefly in the army. His true calling came unexpectedly, starting as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a Milan department store. There, he developed a sharp eye for fabrics and tailoring, eventually working for designer Nino Cerruti before venturing out on his own.

Reinventing the Suit

Armani’s genius lay in rethinking structure. He softened stiff men’s suits into fluid, sensual pieces, while crafting sleek “power suits” for women at a time when more were entering the workplace. His designs offered dignity and equality without sacrificing femininity.

By the late 1970s, Armani had revolutionised fashion, making luxury ready-to-wear both desirable and accessible. His biggest break came when he dressed Richard Gere head-to-toe in American Gigolo (1980), an unforgettable showcase of his vision on the Hollywood stage. Soon, Armani was a staple on red carpets, film sets, and in boardrooms around the world.

A Global Lifestyle Brand

From Emporio Armani to Armani Jeans, eyewear, fragrances, sportswear, hotels, and even interiors at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the Armani name became synonymous with a complete lifestyle. GQ once described it as “the total look.”

Love, Loss, and Legacy

Behind the glamour, Armani was intensely private. His partner, Sergio Galeotti, who helped him launch his brand, died in 1985 from an AIDS-related illness. Armani considered quitting but pressed on, saying he could not abandon Galeotti’s hopes. He later admitted his greatest failure was “not being able to stop my partner dying.”

Despite personal grief, Armani dedicated his life to his craft. His work extended beyond fashion into sports, designing suits for Chelsea FC, Italy’s Olympic team, and more. He even made a mark on public health debates, refusing to use underweight models after the anorexia-linked death of Ana Carolina Reston.

Always Seeking Perfection

Well into his 90s, Armani remained active, presenting new collections in Milan and Paris. Known for his discipline and minimalist lifestyle, symbolised by a one-yard-wide swimming pool in which he swam daily, he described himself as “forever dissatisfied and obsessive in [the] search for perfection.”

Forbes estimated his fortune at $13 billion, but his true legacy lies in the wardrobes of millions and in the confidence he gave those who wore his designs.