The international fashion world and the broader cultural landscape are mourning the loss of Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer whose influence stretched far beyond the runways of Milan. Armani, who passed away peacefully at his home in Milan at the age of 91, was not only a giant in fashion but a visionary whose creative reach touched film, music, art, and even the world of sports. His death, announced on Thursday, September 4, 2025, was met with an extraordinary outpouring of tributes from celebrities, political leaders, and fellow designers across the globe.
Armani’s journey began in 1975 when he co-founded his namesake company, which would go on to become synonymous with understated elegance and Italian sophistication. The impact of his work was felt almost immediately, but it was the 1980 film American Gigolo that catapulted his designs into international fame. Richard Gere, who famously wore Armani’s creations in the movie, remembered the designer as “certainly an original. An artist. A visionary of sorts. With the eyes and hand of a craftsman, and the soul of a painter. His work had his essence all over it. And he cared right up to the end. Uncompromising.” Gere added, “To me he was a supremely talented pussycat.” (The Hollywood Reporter)
Fellow designers were quick to acknowledge Armani’s singular legacy. Ralph Lauren, in a heartfelt statement, said, “I have always had the deepest respect and admiration for Giorgio Armani, not only as a designer who never strayed from his vision, but as a man who loved his family and friends, and his homeland in such a special way. Though he was an icon of the world of fashion, he lived with great humility and a love of living that inspired the way he worked and the way he lived. He created a world reflecting all the things he loved with a foreverness that will be his legacy.” (The Associated Press)
Anna Wintour, chief content officer at Condé Nast, captured the essence of Armani’s style and philosophy: “Giorgio Armani had such a clear force of personality and vision that you knew his work instantly, wherever you found it. He understood power and attitude and elegance as well as anyone ever has in fashion, and he understood women too: how they wanted to dress and what message they wanted to send as they asserted themselves through his rise in the ’70s, ’80s, and beyond. He also never confined himself to one field or one discipline, and understood that fashion can’t exist in a silo. For him fashion wasn’t one thing: It was also film, music, sport, art, design, and architecture, and he left his mark in all these worlds—and everywhere he went.” (AP)
Tributes poured in from every corner of the entertainment industry. Julia Roberts, who often wore custom Armani looks to premieres and awards ceremonies, posted a photo with the caption, “A true friend. A Legend.” (CNN) Leonardo DiCaprio, in an Instagram story, recalled, “Giorgio Armani was a visionary whose influence reached far beyond design. I first met him many years ago in Milan and I remember being blown away by his creativity and genius. He was a legendary force who inspired generations, and his legacy will continue to shape and uplift the world for years to come.” (CNN, The Hollywood Reporter)
Other actors and celebrities echoed these sentiments. Mira Sorvino recounted being discovered by Armani at the Venice Film Festival, saying, “For me, he was like eternal — this brilliant, kind man who was so talented and created this whole kind of sophisticated, understated glamour that really defined the ’90s in a way. ... I will really miss him and I think the world will miss him.” (AP) Jessica Chastain shared a personal connection, noting she met her husband at an Armani fashion show. Morgan Freeman reflected, “On screen and off, in quiet moments and on the grandest stages, I have had the honor of wearing Armani. Today, we remember a man whose genius touched many lives and whose legacy of grace and timeless style will endure.” (The Hollywood Reporter)
Fashion’s elite, including Donatella Versace, Prada’s Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, Diesel founder Renzo Rosso, and Ermenegildo Zegna, all paid their respects. Versace called Armani “a master of class and elegance” and said he “changed history with fashion.” Prada’s leadership described him as a “maestro recognized for his elegance and creativity, and an undisputed protagonist of Italian and international fashion.” (CNN)
Armani’s influence was not limited to the world of fashion. Carlo Capasa, Chairman of the National Chamber for Italian Fashion, credited him with helping to establish Milan Fashion Week as a global event, saying Armani “contributed to the growth of the fashion system and its values.” (CNN)
Political leaders in Italy also marked his passing with deep respect. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote, “With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring luster to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy.” (CNN, AP) President Sergio Mattarella called Armani “a symbol of Italian genius throughout the world,” citing his “sophisticated simplicity, his dedication to quality, and his attention to detail.” (CNN)
Armani’s impact on those who wore his designs was personal and profound. Russell Crowe, reflecting on his long relationship with Armani’s suits, shared, “Mr. Armani has made a deep contribution, to fashion, to design, to popular culture. His energy, vision and finesse has made a mark acknowledged around the globe. I adored him. He was so kind. So many significant moments in my life, awards, wedding, Wimbledon… all in Armani. I have been looking forward to seeing him, plans were in place for Milan at the end of this month. Alas… What a life he had, from his beginnings to his glory.” (X, The Hollywood Reporter)
Supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford took to social media to share their grief and gratitude. Campbell described Armani as “a perfectionist in the truest sense” and “a gift to the world.” (CNN) Crawford wrote, “Heartbroken to hear about the passing of a legend. A true master of his craft.” (AP)
Major fashion editors, including Suzy Menkes, Samira Nasr, and Edward Enninful, offered their perspectives on Armani’s legacy. Enninful, former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, reflected, “Since meeting in the ‘90s, he always believed in me and gave me a seat at the table from day one; from styling his campaigns to his endless words of wisdom at each stage of my career, he always made me feel seen.” (CNN)
The Armani Group announced that a funeral chamber would be opened to the public in Milan over the weekend, while the funeral itself would be held privately, respecting Armani’s explicit wishes. (CNN)
Giorgio Armani’s passing marks the end of an era, but his influence will be felt for generations. Through his vision, dedication, and relentless pursuit of elegance, he changed not just how people dress, but how they see themselves. The tributes from across the worlds of fashion, film, politics, and beyond are a testament to a life that was, by any standard, truly extraordinary.
