Giorgio Armani’s best Hollywood dresses, from Angelina Jolie’s gold gown to Gwyneth’s see-through wonder

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Renowned Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, known for creating an international fashion dynasty based on subtle sophistication, passed away according to official statements from his design house. At the age of 91.

Armani died at home, the fashion house said. 

The artist created some of the best dresses for Hollywood stars.

Among countless others, Cate Blanchett, Sharon Stone, Juliette Binoche, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie are a few notable actresses.

In June 2025, for the first time ever during previews for Spring-Summer 2026 men’s collections, fashion mogul Giorgio Armani was absent from Milan Fashion Week to take care of an unspecified health issue. Originally, he had intended to host a significant event marking the 50th anniversary of his iconic brand, Giorgio Armani, during this month’s Milan Fashion Week.

In the late ’70s, Armani set a new trend in global fashion by introducing a stylish yet casual look with a plain jacket and trousers, all in a modern color scheme typical of urban environments. This relaxed style, distinctive to Armani, has been a driving force behind the brand for the past 50 years.

In various settings, from executive offices to the silver screen, Armani adorned the stylish elite with timeless tailored designs crafted from luxury soft fabrics in subtle colors. His elegantly sophisticated black tie ensembles and dazzling evening gowns frequently garnered attention on the red carpet during award seasons.

When Armani passed away, he had amassed a business empire valued at over $10 billion. This wasn’t limited to clothing; it encompassed accessories, home decor, fragrances, cosmetics, literature, floristry, and even chocolate production. This diverse portfolio placed him among the world’s 200 wealthiest individuals, as recognized by Forbes.

Alongside his design work, the designer was also the proprietor of various bars, clubs, eateries, and even his own basketball team, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, popularly known as Olympia Milano. Since 1998, Armani expanded his culinary empire by launching over twenty restaurants from Milan to Tokyo. Furthermore, he opened two hotels – one in Dubai in 2009 and another in Milan the following year.

The distinctive style that we now associate with Armani originated directly from Giorgio Armani himself. His enduring blue eyes were set against a constant tan, while his early-age silver hair added an air of uniqueness. His signature fashion lines included casual jeans and t-shirts, and his personal residences reflected a minimalist aesthetic.

Armani’s fashion philosophy centered around relaxed sophistication, with a focus on precise details that truly set his designs apart.

He often emphasized, “I create with everyday folks in mind. The worthlessness of designing garments and adornments that lack functionality is something I firmly believe.

In casual conversation, the designer’s charming grin and impeccable courtesy hid the hard-nosed businessman within, who transformed creative skill into a fashion empire valued at over $10 billion. Unlike mergers or sales, “Re Giorgio,” as the Italians affectionately call him, was always his own master.

1934 saw the birth of Giorgio Armani, hailing from the quaint town of Piacenza, situated south of Milan. Initially, he harbored aspirations of becoming a medical professional. However, his part-time employment as a store window decorator in a Milan department store unexpectedly exposed him to the captivating realm of fashion design.

In the year 1975, Giorgio Armani along with his business partner, Sergio Galeotti, utilized the $10,000 they earned from selling their Volkswagen to initiate their own men’s ready-to-wear clothing line. A women’s line was launched a year after.

His new stylish approach was marked by the introduction of the sports jacket without lining, a groundbreaking design that debuted in the late 1970s. This innovative piece quickly gained popularity, from Hollywood’s red carpet to Wall Street’s boardrooms. The designer himself dubbed the jacket as the essential piece, the starting and ending point, in the fashion world’s alphabet, pairing it with a basic t-shirt.

For well-off gentlemen, an Armani suit quickly became a necessary addition to their wardrobe. For women in professional settings, the introduction of the pantsuit was almost revolutionary. This style, known as the ‘power suit’ with its padded shoulders and tailored trousers, became synonymous with the growing group of successful businesswomen in the 1980s.

Through time, Armani has subtly modified his designs by incorporating intricate details, using high-end materials, and introducing more vibrant hues into his predominantly beige and gray color scheme. This approach has prompted certain critics to categorize his fashion as ‘androgynous,’ due to a strong emphasis on tailored pants and jackets.

The iconic 1980 film ‘American Gigolo’ kick-started both Richard Gere’s acting career in Hollywood and the fashion brand Armani. With Gere donning Armani clothing, he transformed into America’s latest heartthrob sensation. Known affectionately as ‘Geeorgeeo’, he also gained popularity among the stylish elite as their preferred designer.

Through his ties with Hollywood, he received costume department credits in more than 200 movies. In 2003, he was honored by being inducted onto the Walk of Fame on Rodeo Drive.

The Oscar night is always radiant, with men donning dapper suits and women gracefully wearing glamorous gowns. In 2009, Sean Penn, the best actor winner, collected his statuette in a stylish black-on-black ensemble by Armani, while Anne Hathaway, one of the nominees for best actress, dazzled on the red carpet in an elegant white strapless gown from Armani’s newest Prive couture collection.

Notable long-term supporters also included Jodie Foster, George Clooney, Sophia Loren, and Brad Pitt. In 2009, David and Victoria Beckham served as the models for his underwear advertisement campaign.

The influence of Armani’s style was so substantial that it reshaped not just the way people dressed, but also their perspective on fashion itself. In recognition of this impact, the Guggenheim Museum in New York dedicated a retrospective exhibition in 2000, showcasing Armani’s fashion journey over the first 25 years of his career.

Armani stated that he admires items which maintain their appeal over time, pieces that remain timeless and serve as enduring symbols of the ultimate quality.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m always intrigued by the dynamic expansion of iconic brands, and the Armani empire is no exception. With over 9,000 dedicated professionals worldwide, we see an impressive gender balance in our executive ranks, where women hold more than half the leadership positions. In addition to our global footprint, which includes seven industrial centers and over 600 retail stores, the Armani brand extends into various sectors such as perfumes, cosmetics, home furnishings, confections, floristry, and even literature.

In a testament to our versatility, we proudly unveiled our fifth multi-brand store on the prestigious Fifth Avenue in New York City back in February 2009. Each day, I marvel at the evolution of our brand, which continues to redefine fashion and luxury in the 21st century.

In the world of fashion-related interests, Armani was not only known for his design empire but also owned various bars, eateries, and nightclubs, as well as a basketball team. During leisure time, he would retreat to picturesque locations such as countryside villas in Broni near Milan, the island of Pantelleria off the coast of Sicily, and St. Tropez on the French Riviera. Each property showcased Armani’s signature design aesthetic: minimalist walls adorned with select art pieces, with a scarcity of decorative items.

Armani, similar to many of his peers, sought to contribute some of the recognition and wealth he gained during Milan’s fashion boom at the turn of the millennium, which placed Italian ready-to-wear at the forefront of global fashion. He personally engaged with various charitable organizations focused on children’s welfare and was an advocate for fighting AIDS. In 2002, Armani was appointed as a U.N. goodwill ambassador for refugees.

Galeotti passed away in 1985. Armani did not have any children, but he was very fond of his niece Roberta, who is the daughter of his late brother Sergio. She put her flourishing film career on hold to serve as Armani’s public relations director instead, often standing in for her reclusive uncle at social functions. In the later years, she played a significant role as an intermediary between him and the world of celebrities.

In 2006, she skillfully organized the high-profile wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, which took place in a medieval castle situated just outside Rome. Meanwhile, Uncle Giorgio was responsible for designing the wedding outfits for both the bride and groom.

According to Armani’s statements, when considering succession, he has been focusing on two potential candidates: Leo Dell’Orco, his long-term leader in men’s fashion, and Silvana Armani, his niece who holds a similar position in women’s fashion.

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2025-09-04 17:22