The entire fashion industry is mourning the devastating death of Giorgio Armani.
The Italian designer passed away peacefully at age 91 surrounded by his family, the Armani Group announced on Thursday.
Immediately after news hit the web, hoards of heartbroken models, celebrities, and fashion elites took to social media to share tributes to the icon.
Fellow designer Donatella Versace was quick to post a broken heart emoji in response to the Armani Group’s announcement.
‘The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever,’ she added in a post of her own.
Princess Diana‘s niece Lady Amelia Spencer also commented with four red hearts.
‘Forever an icon,’ fashion star Maja Malnar added.
Italian actress Alice Pagani wrote, ‘Forever grateful to have met you.’
Giorgio Armani (seen in January) passed away peacefully at age 91 surrounded by his family, the Armani Group announced on Thursday
Immediately after news hit the web, hoards of heartbroken models, celebrities, and fashion elites took to social media to share tributes to the icon (seen in 1988)
‘Giorgio, you are and will always be our KING. Thank you for making us feel proud to be ITALIAN! I love you,’ TV star Simona Ventura said on X.
Italian fashion editor Anna Dello Russo wrote, ‘Bon voyage Maestro Giorgio. I’ll always carry you in my heart.’
Acclaimed photographer Nima Benati said, ‘What a tremendous loss.’
Vogue Runway described Armani as someone who ‘defined the 1980s and shaped the course of fashion beyond it’ in a moving Instagram post.
In a statement released today, Armani’s fashion firm confirmed the news, writing: ‘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, but 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 as ‘Re Giorgio’ – King Giorgio – the designer was known for overseeing every detail of his collection and every aspect of his business, from advertising to fixing models’ hair as they head out on to the runway.
Armani had been CEO and creative director up until his death and said in his last interview last weekend: ‘My greatest weakness is that I am in control of everything.’
Fellow designer Donatella Versace wrote, ‘The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever’
Armani dressed the rich and famous in classic tailored styles, fashioned in super-soft fabrics and muted tones.
His handsome black tie outfits and glittering evening gowns often stole the show on award season red carpets.
He was synonymous with modern Italian style and elegance, and his company turned over some $2.7 billion a year.
At the time of his death, Armani had put together an empire worth over $10 billion, which along with clothing included accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers and even chocolates, ranking him in the world’s top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes.
He had been unwell for some time, and was forced to drop out of his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June, the first time in his career that he had missed one of his catwalk events.
A funeral chamber will be set up on Saturday and Sunday in Milan, the company said, followed by a private funeral at an unspecified date.
