Giorgio Armani, the famed Italian fashion designer who achieved elegance and timelessness through simplicity, has died at the age of 91.

“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said in a statement. He “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.” Even in his final days, Armani remained devoted to his craft. “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 company added.

A Life Devoted to Design

Born in Piacenza, Italy, on July 11, 1934, Armani’s path to fashion was far from direct. He studied medicine for three years before serving in the military, later finding work as a window dresser at a Milan department store. From there, he moved into buying and then design, working for Nino Cerruti before launching his own label in 1975 with his partner Sergio Galeotti.

Almost instantly, his minimalist vision changed the fashion landscape. By softening the lines of men’s suits and using more fluid fabrics, he created a signature style that would redefine power dressing. His big break came when Richard Gere wore his designs in the 1980 film American Gigolo. Soon, Armani was dressing Hollywood’s brightest stars and reshaping what elegance looked like on the red carpet.

Dressing Icons and Inspiring Generations

Armani’s influence reached far beyond the catwalk. From Julia Roberts’ menswear-inspired Golden Globes look in 1990 to Lady Gaga’s avant-garde Grammy outfits in 2010, his designs carried both glamour and cultural weight. Gaga herself once said, “The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist. Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch.”

Cate Blanchett praised his ability to balance masculine and feminine aesthetics, while Glenn Close fondly recalled buying her first Armani blazer in New York in 1985 — a piece she still treasures. Armani even designed bridal gowns for stars such as Katie Holmes and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

A Legacy of Excellence

Throughout his career, Armani resisted fleeting trends, insisting instead on timeless relevance. “I have never been interested in being trendy for the sake of it,” he said in 2017. “I have my own vision and ideas and am not afraid to go countercurrent. Fashion tides change constantly, after all. I just don’t care.”

For him, discipline was the foundation of success. “Eighty percent of what I do is discipline,” he once explained. “The rest is creativity.”

Italy’s leaders were quick to honor his life’s work. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remembered him for his “elegance, sobriety, and creativity,” calling him “an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy.” Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described him as “a figure of Italian excellence recognized and admired throughout the world.”

Honoring His Memory

Though Armani’s funeral will be private, a public wake will be held at the Teatro Armani in Milan, where admirers can pay their respects. His employees and family issued a heartfelt tribute: “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 commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love.”

In a world often consumed by fast-changing trends, Giorgio Armani stood firm as a beacon of elegance, integrity, and artistry. His legacy lives on not only in his timeless designs but also in the lives he touched through his vision.