The city of Milan has been draped in quiet reverence as thousands of admirers, celebrities, and industry titans gathered this weekend to pay their last respects to Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian fashion designer whose influence stretched far beyond the runways of Europe. Armani died on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the age of 91, passing away peacefully at his home in central Milan, surrounded by loved ones after months of fragile health, according to multiple reports including Sky News and the Associated Press.
From early Saturday morning, the Teatro Armani on Via Bergognone 59—once a Nestlé chocolate factory and now a minimalist, luxurious headquarters—became the epicenter of mourning. The space, transformed at Armani’s request back in 2001, has long served as the backdrop for his iconic runway shows. Now, it was the setting for a public farewell that drew a cross-section of Milanese society, international celebrities, and fashion industry leaders.
Rows of candles in paper bags cast a shimmering light across the chamber, as soft piano music by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi played in the background. Armani’s closed coffin, adorned with a bouquet of long-stem white roses and flanked by carabinieri honor guards in ceremonial dress, lay at the center of the solemn gathering. A sculpture featuring a crucifix on a raw block of marble—brought from Armani's bedside—stood nearby, a poignant reminder of the designer’s private spirituality. Although Armani was known for keeping his faith close to his chest, a priest who emerged from his home after his passing told reporters that he attended Mass daily.
The outpouring of grief was palpable. Donatella Versace, herself a titan of Italian fashion, arrived dressed in a dark skirt suit, carrying a bouquet of white flowers which she left in tribute before quietly departing. She was joined by a host of other notable figures, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, film directors Gabriele Salvatores and Giuseppe Tornatore, and designer Angela Missoni. According to Sky News, Sala was among the first to arrive, offering condolences to Leo Dell’Orco, Armani’s longtime collaborator and the head of menswear. "A man of extraordinary elegance," Sala told reporters outside the theater. "Milan is full of signs of Armani. It will be impossible to forget him."
Ordinary admirers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with VIPs, many having traveled hours to be present. Annamaria Longo Dorni, who journeyed from Lago Maggiore, wore an Armani midnight blue jacket for the occasion. "You put it on, and you’re perfect," she shared, echoing the timelessness of Armani’s designs. "It’s always up to date, even after 20 years." The line of mourners stretched down the block just two hours after the doors opened, a testament to the designer’s enduring appeal across generations and social divides.
The public viewing, which began Saturday, was scheduled to continue through Sunday, September 7, allowing as many people as possible to bid their farewells before Armani’s private funeral on Monday. The city of Milan, recognizing the magnitude of the loss, declared the day of Armani’s funeral a day of mourning, as reported by Inquirer.net and other outlets. The details of the funeral remain closely guarded, in keeping with Armani’s well-known preference for privacy.
Tributes poured in from around the globe. Fashion luminaries like Ralph Lauren, Anna Wintour, and Donatella Versace, as well as Hollywood stars Julia Roberts and Leonardo DiCaprio, sent their condolences. According to the Associated Press, Armani’s final farewell to mourners included a projected photograph of him smiling and waving, accompanied by his parting words: "The mark I hope to leave is one of commitment, respect and genuine care for people and for reality. That’s where everything truly begins."
Armani’s life was a tapestry woven with ambition, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of elegance. Born in Piacenza, northern Italy, he initially set his sights on medicine, but fate intervened when he took a job as a window dresser at a Milan department store. By 1973, Armani had opened his own design studio, and in 1975, he debuted his eponymous collection—forever altering the trajectory of modern fashion. According to Inquirer.net, Armani was credited with inventing red-carpet fashion after opening an office in Los Angeles in 1983, determined to dress celebrities and draw inspiration from cinema. His understated yet exquisitely tailored creations soon became the gold standard for Hollywood actors, pop stars, and royals alike.
His empire grew to encompass haute couture, interior design, hotels, perfumes, and even chocolates—all while he maintained a firm grip on the brand’s identity and cultivated a devoted team that became his surrogate family. Armani’s imprint on Milan is unmistakable: from the flagship Emporio Armani billboard greeting travelers at Linate Airport to the Armani/Silos museum in the city’s design district, and his historic offices and residence in the city center. He was also a major supporter of Milan’s cultural institutions, including the famed Teatro alla Scala, and owned the Olympia Milan basketball team.
Despite his global stature, Armani remained deeply private and modest. He had no children, and his closest relatives—nieces Roberta and Silvana Armani, and nephew Andrea Camerana—are involved in the company. Pantaleo Dell’Orco, with whom Armani had a close relationship, heads the men’s style office and represented Armani at fashion shows when the designer was too ill to attend in person. According to a statement from his family and employees, they are "committed to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory."
Armani’s dedication to his craft was unwavering, even in his final days. He worked up to the end, with one of his last projects being a runway show marking the 50th anniversary of his signature brand, scheduled to close Milan Fashion Week later this month. Although he missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for the first time, he oversaw every aspect of the show remotely via video link, demonstrating a work ethic that colleagues described as "indefatigable to the end."
As the sun sets on a remarkable era, Milan and the global fashion community are left to ponder the future of the Armani empire. The company’s next steps remain uncertain, but the city and the world at large seem united in their determination to honor his legacy. As Milan Mayor Sala aptly put it, "It will be impossible to forget him."
