When did Giorgio Armani start his fashion brand? A look at his legacy as the iconic designer dies at 91

Legendary fashion paragon Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91.

Known for having shaped the fashion industry into what it is today, the pioneer turned 91 on July 11. The BBC has reported that Armani is largely credited with increasing social fluidity in contemporary society, having revamped the suit into one that is more feminine for men and popular among women.

“Fashion is a serious job - and a wonderful one, for that matter,” he told Vanity Fair in late 2021.

Giorgio formed the luxury powerhouse, Armani, in 1975. It has since expanded into music, sports, and even luxury hotels. Today, the Italian luxury fashion house is one of the most acclaimed companies in the world.

Giorgio Armani's life and legacy explored as one of the world's leading fashion powerhouses:

The Armani Group announced the passing of its “creator, founder, and tireless driving force” in a statement, signed by his family and employees. Per Vanity Fair, it reads as follows:

"Mr. Armani, as he was always called with respect and admiration by 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-new projects both existing and in progress."

"Over the years, Giorgio Armani created a vision that extended from fashion to every aspect of living, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and concreteness. He was guided by an inexhaustible curiosity and a focus on the present and people. Along this path, he created an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to communicate with everyone."

It goes on,

"Giorgio Armani is a company with fifty years of history, grown with emotion and patience. Giorgio Armani has always made independence, both in thought and action, his hallmark. The company is the reflection, today and always, of this feeling. The family and employees will carry the Group forward with respect and continuity of these values. In this company, we have always felt part of a family."

"Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by those who founded this family and nurtured it with vision, passion, and dedication. But it is precisely in his spirit that together, we employees and the family members who have always worked alongside Mr. Armani, are committed to protecting what he built and to carrying on his company in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love.”

Giorgio Armani was born in a pre-war era in Piacenza, northern Italy, in 1934, where rigidity in fashion and tradition was rampant. However, his creations prompted newspapers to refer to him as he "first post-modern designer," per the BBC.

He was born into a family with modest means, which ultimately took a turn for the worse when the war ravaged the site and made food and other resources scarce. He'd initially begun learning medicine, though by 1959, he decided to get drafted by the army.

However, after a brief stint, he began work as a window dresser at La Rinascente in Milan, which threw him into the world of fashion. He sharpened his knowledge of fabrics, customer liking, and tailoring, and not long after, he began working for Nino Cerruti, a well-known haute couture designer at the time.

By the 1960s, he was making waves with his abilities, as by then, Giorgio Armani had started reshaping men's and women's fashion. By the following decade, he'd launched his company, and within years, he expanded it into Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani.

It was only in 1982, however, did he solidified his position in the industry, Tatler Asia has reported, when he made the cover of Time magazine. Today, Armani boasts glasses, sportswear, cosmetics, and accessories, among other things, in its catalogue. Forbes has reported that Armani now boasts a fortune of $13bn.

Giorgio Armani, who was honored with the Murano Glass Golden Lion by the mayor of Venice in 2023, is known even today for his motto:

"Elegance doesn’t mean being noticed, it means being remembered."

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