Giorgio Armani, legendary Italian fashion designer, dies at 91

"Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones," the Armani Group said in the statement.

"Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects," the statement continued.

Armani combined the flair of the designer with the acumen of a businessman, running a company that turned over some $2.7 billion a year. 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.

Marking 50 years in the fashion industry in 2024, the house that Armani built was made durable by its commitment to well-fitting classics, combining expert tailoring and pragmatism with an elevated flair. From silken suits to heady colognes, the Armani brand is easily described as rich, not just in price tag but in substance.

"Over the years, Giorgio Armani has crafted a vision that expanded from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and pragmatism," the company's statement said. "He has been driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people. Along this journey, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to connect with everyone. Always mindful of the needs of the community, he has been active on many fronts, especially in support of his beloved Milan."

In a separate statement, attributed to his employees and family, Armani's loved ones mourned the "void" left behind by a visionary with "passion and dedication."

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani poses for a photograph during a visit to the Forbidden City in Beijing April 2004, where he was scheduled to open his first fashion boutique in China, located in the city of Shanghai.

"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," the statement read.

"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."