The Italian fashion designer and billionaire brand owner Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91.
He was the archetype of Italian style and elegance, reimagining men’s and women’s suits for a modern audience.
His company Armani expanded from fashion into an empire spanning beauty, fragrance, music, sport and even luxury hotels, bringing in more than £2bn a year.
Donatella Versace paid tribute to the late designer on her Instagram page, posting a picture of him, saying: “The world lost a giant today, he made history and will be remembered forever.
In a statement on the brand’s Instagram page, it said Armani “worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects”.
It also said he was “indefatigable to the end” and “driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people”.
The designer was seen as a pioneer in many ways, elevating red carpet fashion to what we see today.
He was also the first designer to ban underweight models from the runway, after the death of model Ana Carolina Reston in 2006 from anorexia nervosa.
Russell Crowe described Armani as a man who “made a mark acknowledged around the globe”.
The actor said he “adored” Armani and was meant to be seeing him this month, adding that the designer was there for “so many significant moments in my life”.
Julia Roberts shared a picture of herself in an Armani dress alongside the designer on Instagram with the words “A true friend. A legend” and a heartbreak emoji.
British designer Paul Smith also spoke about his “dear friend and fellow designer”.
“His continuity, his down-to-earth nature and his staying power in remaining as an unlisted, independent company have always been a huge inspiration for me personally,” Smith wrote on social media.
“He has been an enormous source of strength and creativity for many years.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also paid tribute, saying: “With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring lustre to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world.
“An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.”
