As the city that never sleeps prepares for its most glamorous week of the year, New York is abuzz with anticipation and a touch of nostalgia. On September 5, 2025, the eve of New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2025 season, the fashion world is set to celebrate not only new beginnings but also the legacy of one of its greatest icons. Aboard an exclusive luxury yacht, designers, models, and tastemakers will gather for the Fashion Night Out Pre-Party, an event promising to set the tone for a season defined by both innovation and remembrance. Just two days later, on September 7, the main show will unfold at the Residence Inn Times Square, its exact location kept secret for ticket holders, adding an air of intrigue to the proceedings.
Yet, beneath the surface glamour and excitement, the industry is mourning the loss of a true visionary. Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer whose name became synonymous with “sleek and chic,” passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. According to a statement from the Armani Group, "Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.”
Armani’s passing marks the end of an era—one that began in 1975, when he established his company and set about redefining what Italian fashion could be. His influence stretched far beyond the borders of Milan, the city where he debuted his first menswear collection half a century ago. As PAPER magazine notes, “With him goes an era of Italian chic fashion that can never be recaptured.”
Few designers have left such an indelible mark on both the red carpet and the everyday wardrobe. Armani’s vision brought Italian sleekness to the world, not just through clothing, but also fragrances and accessories. He was a pioneer in making red carpet fashion accessible and aspirational, his gowns and suiting shaping the silhouettes that have become staples for celebrities and style icons alike.
Just this past week, Armani Privé dominated headlines at the Venice Film Festival, a fitting tribute to his enduring relevance even as the industry around him evolved. The event, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of his first menswear show, was a testament to the staying power of his designs. As PAPER observed, “The work he poured himself into during his final days will live on forever, having helped pioneer the concept of 'sleek and chic' that defined Italian fashion for decades.”
Armani’s approach was never about fleeting trends. He was, as many have remarked, ruthlessly dedicated to the female form, to glamour, and to the suiting that came to define modern menswear. His ability to blur the lines between menswear and womenswear—creating pieces that crossed rigid boundaries—redefined utility and elegance in fashion. The impact of his work can be seen in pop culture, on runways, and in the wardrobes of countless admirers around the globe.
Photographic archives are filled with iconic images of Armani: draping models in endless rolls of fabric, his face a study in composure while the model seems almost overwhelmed by the sheer force of glamour. There are candid shots of him with fellow designers—Walter Albini, Mariuccia Mandelli, Anna Fendi, Gianni Versace, and more—testament to his place among the titans of Italian style. And, of course, there are the celebrity moments: Armani with Naomi Campbell, Donatella Versace, Linda Evangelista, Barbra Streisand, Martin Scorsese, Sophia Loren, Victoria Beckham, Winona Ryder, Anna Wintour, and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name just a few. As PAPER puts it, “Armani was no stranger to celebrities, having dressed just about every single one of them in his entire career.”
His home and workspaces offered a glimpse into the eccentric yet refined sensibilities he brought to his creations. The joy of fashion was always written plainly across his face, whether he was in the company of models, collaborators, or friends. The massive group portrait of Italian designers from 1977 stands out as a snapshot of a moment when Milan—and by extension, Armani—was at the center of the fashion universe.
As New York Fashion Week approaches, Armani’s influence will be felt in more ways than one. The pre-party aboard the luxury yacht on September 5 is not just a celebration of the season ahead, but also an implicit homage to a designer whose work shaped the very idea of fashion as spectacle. The main show at the Residence Inn Times Square on September 7 will undoubtedly feature nods to his legacy, from the silhouettes on display to the spirit of innovation and inclusivity that defined his career.
For many in the industry, Armani’s passing is deeply personal. He was, as the Armani Group emphasized, “indefatigable to the end,” a man who never stopped working, never stopped dreaming. His collections—past, present, and those yet to be unveiled—remain a testament to his enduring vision. As PAPER poignantly observed, “Rest in peace, Giorgio Armani. Make sure the angel's speedos are extra tight and chic up there.”
The timing of his death, just days before the start of Fashion Week, is bittersweet. There is a sense that the shows and parties to come will be imbued with both celebration and reflection. Attendees will toast to the future of fashion, even as they remember a man whose past achievements continue to shape its present and future.
As the city’s skyline glitters and the world’s eyes turn to Manhattan, one thing is certain: Giorgio Armani’s legacy will loom large over this Fashion Week and for many seasons to come. His signature cool, his devotion to beauty, and his relentless pursuit of excellence have left an imprint that will not soon fade. The industry moves forward, but it does so standing on the shoulders of a giant.
