Giorgio Armani passed away on 04 September. Image Credit: Italy Obit Armani/ Antonio Calanni via AP
(The Post News) – Giorgio Armani, the celebrated Italian designer who transformed modern fashion, passed away on September 3 at the age of 91. Best known for his iconic, name-bearing fashion empire, Armani was widely respected for revolutionizing style and elegance, leaving a lasting legacy that reshaped the fashion world.
It all began with the power suit. Armani redefined business attire in the 1970s and 1980s, softening traditional harsh silhouettes with luxurious fabrics that flattered the silhouette and empowered both men and women. But his vision soon grew beyond clothing. He branched into accessories, fragrances, home décor, and even hospitality, turning his brand into a lifestyle empire. These ventures allowed him to connect with a diverse array of individuals both inside and outside the fashion world, cementing his influence not just as a designer but as a cultural icon.
As the tributes pour in and the industry mourns his loss, we celebrate his extraordinary life with five remarkable and surprising facts about the man behind the legendary brand.
Medicine Before Milan
Before discovering his true passion, Giorgio Armani explored several career paths, including studying medicine, before ultimately finding his calling in fashion. After finishing school, Armani enrolled at the University of Milan’s Department of Medicine to study medicine. He completed three years before leaving to join the Italian army.
From the Military to Window Dressing
After leaving medical school, Armani joined the Italian army and worked in the military hospital for a short time before being hired as a window dresser and assistant designer at La Rinascente. It was there that he discovered his true calling, honing his skills and steadily working his way up through the ranks in the fashion world.
Championing Healthy Body Image in Fashion
A lover of the human form, Giorgio Armani was vocal about promoting healthy body image in the fashion industry. He openly discouraged unhealthy eating habits, including anorexia, at a time when extreme thinness was widely glorified. In 2006, he emphasized, “We all need to work together against anorexia.” Armani also made it known that he has a policy of not hiring models who appear severely underweight, encouraging the industry to prioritize health and well-being over unrealistic standards.
Private Romantic Life and Never Married
Armani was relatively private about his love life, only letting the public know bits and pieces. He confirmed only two relationships publicly: his co-founder Sergio Galeotti, who passed away in 1985 from AIDS, and his long-term partner Leo Dell’Orco. Dell’Orco joined the brand just two years after its founding, and he and Armani had been part of each other’s lives for decades before becoming life partners. Despite their enduring relationship, the pair never married, as Armani felt indifferent to formalizing their union.
Ties to Princess Diana
Armani dressed countless Hollywood celebrities and royals throughout his career, but none seemed as special to him as Princess Diana. A devoted admirer of his work, Diana often collaborated with Armani and was frequently photographed wearing his designs—even on the day of her tragic accident, she wore the brand.
After her death, the designer revealed he had been creating a dress for Diana for a fall engagement, a design she tragically never saw worn.
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