Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who revolutionized fashion with timeless elegance, passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. Known as “Il Signor” of Italian fashion, Armani built an empire worth over $12 billion, turning his name into a global symbol of sophistication.
From reinventing men’s tailoring with softer, unstructured jackets to launching Emporio Armani, Armani/Casa, and even luxury hotels, he lived every moment with vision, discipline, and grace. He was more than a designer — he was a storyteller who expressed luxury through every detail of his life.
— Armani at Paris Fashion Week in 2019.Stephane Cardinale / Corbis via Getty Images
Armani’s journey was as humble as it was extraordinary. Originally studying medicine, he switched paths after a stint as a buyer at Milan’s La Rinascente, and later, as a designer for Nino Cerruti.
In 1975, with encouragement from his partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani sold his Volkswagen Beetle to finance the launch of his own label, Giorgio Armani S.p.A. That single sacrifice would lay the foundation for a fashion revolution. By softening the structure of men’s suits and focusing on effortless elegance, Armani reshaped global style.
Armani’s philosophy extended beyond fashion — he believed in creating environments of beauty, simplicity, and serenity. He avoided excess flash, but his acquisitions spoke of quiet power and refined luxury.
From yachts that looked like floating penthouses, to Manhattan apartments with views of Central Park, Armani surrounded himself with creations that mirrored his design ethos: timeless, understated, and unforgettable.
—– Giorgio Armani in the 1970s.Adriano Alecchi / Mondadori via Getty Images
Top 5 Purchases That Defined Armani’s Legacy
Capannina di Franceschi Nightclub – In August 2025, shortly before his death, Armani acquired this historic Forte dei Marmi club — a full-circle return to his Italian roots and culture.
The Superyacht Mariù (164 feet) – Designed in 2003 with Armani/Casa interiors, Mariù was Armani’s personal sanctuary at sea, blending minimalism with nautical luxury.
213-Foot Superyacht (~$65M) – His later yacht purchase was a statement of scale — a floating palace embodying Armani’s belief in elegance without excess.
$17.5 Million Manhattan Penthouse – In 2019, Armani bought a Central Park West apartment featuring high ceilings, a wraparound terrace, and timeless Beaux-Arts details.
Antigua Retreat – A cliffside Caribbean property where Armani sought peace and escape, far from the glare of Milan and New York.
Image by: Legendary Productions
Armani’s last move wasn’t a yacht or a skyscraper, but a nightclub — a place filled with music, history, and memories. It reflected what he valued most: culture, heritage, and timeless style.
He passed away leaving not just an empire, but a philosophy: that true luxury is not about excess, but about refinement.
As the world says goodbye, Giorgio Armani will be remembered as the man who sold a Beetle to start a fashion house, and ended his journey as a billionaire legend who designed not only clothes, but a way of living.