“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani”, it said. He “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones”. “Tireless, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, its collections, and the diverse and ever-evolving projects both existing and in progress”.

The iconic designer was famously hands-on, overseeing every detail of his collections and all aspects of his business. He founded the Armani group in 1975 with Sergio Galeotti, an architect who would become his life and business partner.

Giorgio Armani is renowned for his quintessentially Italian aesthetic. His jackets, in particular, attracted the attention of Hollywood in the ‘80s, particularly among women, who found his aesthetic to be the perfect balance of elegance and strength in a working world that was still largely male-dominated at the time.

In the current luxury landscape, he was one of the few designers who remained the sole shareholder of their company. Although there is no obvious heir to the business, family members, including nieces Silvana and Roberta, nephew Andrea Camerana, and long-standing associate Pantaleo Dell’Orco, are expected to take over the running of the company.

Therefore, the future of the Armani group which Bloomberg Intelligence analysts valued at between 8 and 10 billion euros in 2024, may become clearer in the coming weeks when the will is read.

Image Credits: fortune.com