CELEBS from the fashion world and beyond have paid tribute to legendary designer Giorgio Armani, who has died aged 91.
Victoria Beckham led the way with a personal message to the late Italian billionaire – one of the most iconic figures in all of high fashion.
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Victoria, clearly feeling emotional, wrote: “The fashion world has lost a true legend in Giorgio Armani – a visionary designer whose legacy will live on forever.
“I feel honoured to have called him a friend.”
Fellow fashion heavyweight, Donatella Versace, praised Armani as “a giant” who “made history and will be remembered forever.”
German actor Diane Kruger, who has worn many Armani creations, expressed sadness and remembered him as “one of the nicest people and mentors.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Armani a man of “elegance, sobriety, and creativity”.
She hailed his ability to “bring lustre to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world”.
Armarni was synonymous with modern Italian style and elegance – and his clothes were worn by celebrities from David Beckham to Lady Gaga.
He was known for his elegant flair as a designer and his sharp acumen as a businessman.
His company turned over more than £2billion a year – and he had a net worth of nearly £7.5billion.
Armani had been unwell for some time – and he died at home, but his fashion house said he “worked until his final days”.
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Tributes continued with Hollywood royalty Julia Roberts, who referred to him as: “A true friend. A Legend.”
F1 racer Charles Leclerc shared his gratitude at having had the honour to meet and work with Armani, calling him “an amazing person.”
Juventus Football Club, whose formal off-pitch wardrobe for the next two seasons was designed by Armani, described him as a “timeless icon of elegance and Italian style.”
Italian TV presenter Simona Ventura hailed him as “our KING,” celebrating his impact on Italian pride
Film producer Aurelio de Laurentiis, also Italian, shared his sadness at the passing of his “friend Giorgio Armani”.
Armani was planning a major event to celebrate 50 years of his signature Giorgio Armani fashion house during Milan Fashion Week this month.
And he was forced to drop out of his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June.
It was the first time in his career that he had missed one of his catwalk events.
Known as “Re Giorgio” – King Giorgio – the designer was known for overseeing every detail of his collection.
He micro-managed every aspect of his business, from advertising to fixing models’ hair as they head out on to the runway.
In a tribute on Instagram, the Armani Group said: “Mr. Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by his employees and collaborators, 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.”
They added: “He was guided by an inexhaustible curiosity and a focus on the present and its people.
“Along this journey, he fostered an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to communicate with everyone.
“Always attentive to the needs of the community, he was committed on many fronts, especially to his beloved Milan.”
The fashion house added a funeral chamber will be set up on Saturday and Sunday in Milan – followed by a private funeral at an unspecified date.
Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc posted: “You will be missed Giorgio”
Starting with an unlined jacket, a simple pair of pants and an urban palette, Armani put Italian ready-to-wear style on the international fashion map in the late 1970s.
He created an instantly recognizable relaxed silhouette that has propelled the fashion house for half a century.
From the executive office to the Hollywood screen, 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.
Armani’s empire expanded well beyond clothes – also offering accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers and even chocolates.
He was ranked in the worlds top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes.
The designer also owned several bars, clubs, restaurants and his own basketball team EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, better known as Olympia Milano.
He opened more than than 20 restaurants from Milan to Tokyo since 1998, and two hotels, one in Dubai in 2009 and another in Milan, in 2010.
Speaking of his design philopshy, Armani said: “I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical.”
Armani was known for his disarming smile and mild manners – personifying his fashion’s attempts at easygoing elegance.
He was born in 1934 in Piacenza, a town in the industrial heartland of northern Italy, close to Milan, one of three children of Ugo Armani and Maria Raimondi.
His dad worked at the headquarters of the local Fascist party before becoming an accountant for a transport company – while his mum was a homemaker.
Armani said his parents helped imbue him with an early sense of style – loving his mum Maria’s clothes.
“We were the envy of all our classmates,” he said.
“We looked rich even though we were poor.”
The family moved to Milan after the war – and must became enchanted by its elegance, and supporting the local footbal team Inter Milan.
Armani’s celebrity clients
A WHO’S who of the world’s rich and famous have worn Armani’s clothes.
Actors, musicians and more have all been seen wearing his unmistakably elegant outfits, such as:
- Lady Gaga
- Beyoncé
- David Beckham
- Serena Williams
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Cate Blanchett
- Anne Hathaway
- Jodie Foster
- Jessica Chastain
- Richard Gere
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Tom Cruise
- George Clooney
- Brad Pitt
- Rafael Nada
And many more have enjoyed Armani’s sytlish chic on the red carpet and in glam photoshoots.
He had dreamed of becoming a doctor before a part-time job as a window decorator in a Milan department store opened his eyes to the world of fashion.
He briefly serving in the Italian army after World War 2 in the 1950s.
In 1975, Armani and his partner Sergio Galeotti sold their Volkswagen for $10,000 to start up their own menswear ready-to-wear label. Womenswear followed a year later.
It all began with the jacket – Giorgio Armani twisted and bruised the angular piece of clothing – tearing out the padding, adjusting the proportions, moving the buttons.
He was then left with something supple as a cardigan, light as a shirt.
Years later, he said: “Removing all rigidity from the garment and discovering an unexpected naturalness.
“It was the starting point for everything that came after.”
He often said that the point of fashion was to make people feel good about themselves – and he railed against the rigid, fussy lines that traditionally defined high tailoring.
Speaking in the 1990 documentary about him “Made in Milan” by Martin Scorsese, he said: “That’s a weakness of mine that affects both my life and my work.
“I’m always thinking about adding something or taking something away. Mostly taking something away.
“I can’t stand exhibitionism.”
