On a gray September morning in Milan, the city’s fashion heart pulsed with a rare unity. Crowds—some dressed in signature understated elegance, others in black as a mark of mourning—gathered outside the Armani Theatre, the minimalist headquarters of Giorgio Armani’s global empire. The occasion was somber but historic: a final farewell to the legendary designer, whose influence shaped not only Italian style but the very nature of modern luxury itself. Armani, who died on September 4, 2025, at age 91, lay in state for two days, drawing thousands of admirers, celebrities, and industry peers for a last tribute.
The scene at the Armani Theatre was both intimate and grand. According to France 24, Armani’s closed wooden coffin, adorned with a bouquet of white roses, rested in a darkened room softly illuminated by paper candles. A large screen displayed images of Armani throughout his storied life, while the air was thick with emotion and reverence. The coffin was surrounded by candles, and the line of mourners stretched for a whole block just two hours after doors opened, as reported by UNN. Some spent several hours waiting for a chance to pay their respects.
Among the first to arrive was Donatella Versace, herself a titan of Italian fashion and a longtime friend and rival. Dressed in a dark suit, she left a bouquet of white flowers at the foot of Armani’s coffin, her gesture a poignant symbol of the mutual respect that defined their relationship. Other notable figures followed: Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who told reporters, “A man of extraordinary elegance. Milan is full of Armani's traces. He cannot be forgotten.” Directors Gabriele Salvatores and Giuseppe Tornatore, designer Angela Missoni, and Ferrari chairman John Elkann all joined the throngs, underscoring Armani’s reach far beyond the runway.
The designer’s partner, Pantaleo Dell’Orco, stood quietly greeting mourners as they filed past. Armani’s employees, dressed in black mourning wear and dark sunglasses, lined up early, their presence a testament to the loyalty he inspired. “It’s so emotional,” said Silvia Albonetti, an Emporio Armani saleswoman, as quoted by France 24. “He was an incredible man… sometimes curt, but human.” For many, the loss felt deeply personal, as if Milan itself had lost a guiding star.
Armani’s path to fashion greatness wasn’t preordained. Born in Piacenza, northern Italy, he initially enrolled in medical school before shifting to fashion after a stint as a window dresser in a Milan department store. He opened his first design studio in 1973, debuting his eponymous collection two years later. The rest, as they say, is history. By the 1980s, Armani had become synonymous with a new kind of elegance—understated, impeccably tailored, and quietly powerful. His designs graced Hollywood’s elite, and he is widely credited with inventing the concept of red-carpet fashion after opening a Los Angeles office in 1983. “Every fashion show was pure magic,” said Pietro Angeleri, a 20-year-old fashion student waiting in line. “No one has managed to make women stand out like he did. He will be missed.”
Tributes poured in from around the world. Hollywood stars and fashion insiders alike remembered Armani not just for his clothes, but for the aura he cultivated. His empire expanded far beyond apparel, branching into luxury hotels, cosmetics, accessories, and interiors. Through it all, Armani maintained top-to-bottom control, ensuring his vision remained uncompromised. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated his fortune at $11.8 billion, making him one of the richest men in the world.
Yet Armani’s final months were marked by declining health. According to Corriere della Sera, he battled liver failure and was hospitalized with viral bronchopneumonia in June 2025. Despite these challenges, Armani continued working almost until the very end, finalizing designs for his company’s 50th anniversary show at Milan Fashion Week—a show that now stands as a fitting tribute to his legacy. He celebrated his 91st birthday in July with a small family gathering, but his health soon worsened. Still, he remained a fixture at his company, guiding every detail with the same meticulous eye that defined his career.
Armani died at home, surrounded by family, as reported by UNN. The sense of loss in Milan was palpable. The city, which had adopted him as a native son, declared the day of his funeral a day of mourning. For many, his passing marked the end of an era. Fanny Bucci, a 55-year-old local who visited the coffin, summed it up: “It’s the end of an era.”
The question of what comes next for the Armani empire now looms large. Armani never married and had no children. However, he took care to secure the company’s future. In his final interview, he named Dell’Orco—who heads Armani’s men’s style office—and close family members as the stewards of his legacy. His nieces, Roberta and Silvana Armani, are already deeply involved in the group, while his nephew, Andrea Camerana, sits on the board. The family and employees have pledged “to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory.”
For Milan, and indeed the world, Armani was more than a designer—he was a cultural ambassador, a symbol of Italian sophistication, and a visionary who set the standard for elegance. He brought Italian style to the global stage, inspiring generations of designers and ordinary people alike. As fans and colleagues filed past his coffin, some wearing Armani jackets or t-shirts adorned with his image, the sense of gratitude was unmistakable.
As the public viewing continues through Sunday, and with a private funeral scheduled for Monday, the city pauses to remember a man whose impact will long outlive him. The final creations he left behind—meticulously crafted and infused with his trademark restraint—will serve as both a farewell and a promise: that true elegance, once set in motion, never truly fades.
