Designer Giorgio Armani, who helped to put Italy at the forefront of global fashion and dressed Hollywood stars, has died at the age of 91, the company that he founded and led for five decades said.
"With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani," the fashion house said in a statement.
Armani died at home, the company said.
Armani, who was 91, was synonymous with modern Italian style and elegance.
He dressed celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Costner and Lady Gaga.
Giorgio Armani was seen as a pioneer of suit tailoring for men and women. Source: AAP / Daniel Dal Zennaro / EPA
He also owned several bars, clubs, restaurants and his own basketball team, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, better known as Olympia Milano.
He opened more than 20 restaurants, spanning from Milan to Tokyo, since 1998, as well as two hotels: one in Dubai in 2009 and another in Milan in 2010.
From medicine to fashion
Having initially studied medicine, Armani transitioned into fashion during the 1960s and established his own label alongside his partner, Sergio Galeotti, in 1975. This label became renowned for its luxury in both men's and women's wear.
The designer's career spanned almost six decades, with his brand becoming a household name after its re-invention of power dressing gained global attention in 1980 when he dressed Richard Gere in American Gigolo.
He had been unwell for some time and was forced to drop out of his group's shows at Milan's Men's Fashion Week in June, the first time in his career that he had missed one of his catwalk events.
Giorgio Armani went on to work with numerous celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, and Lady Gaga. Source: AAP / Will Oliver/EPA
"I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical," he liked to say when asked to identify his clientele.
'A true friend. A legend'
Roberts, who famously wore an Armani men's suit to the 1990 Golden Globes, posted a picture of herself with the designer on Instagram, accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
"A true friend. A legend," she wrote.
Armani remained the sole owner of his company and worked with a tight-knit group of long-time colleagues and family members.
"He treated everyone as equals and felt at ease among young people. He'd invite us to birthday parties and dinners at his villa in Broni [northern Italy], groups of us: tailors, mailmen, sales assistants," said Mauro Barbieri, who worked as a warehouse man for Armani in Milan for 32 years.
"He would laugh with us and was really down to earth," Barbieri told Reuters.
A funeral chamber will be set up over the weekend in Milan, the company said, followed by a private funeral at a later date.
