Re Giorgio, the inventor of real timeless elegance and pioneer of Italian style and history

“Re Giorgio” (King Giorgio) was not just a designer to be remembered, but a pioneer of fashion. “Perfection is an illusion. It is more important to be human,” he said. Born in Piacenza, Armani grew up during World War II and studied medicine in Milan, but later found a passion for fashion. He also served in the Italian army, and after his service began a career in fashion, working for La Rinascente, a popular luxury department store in Milan, as well as working as a designer for menswear for Nino Cerruti. He later founded his own fashion house, “Maison Armani”, in 1975.

Armani redefined Italian style and the meaning of an elegant woman in fashion, mixing masculinity and femininity together by designing unconstructed tailored suits for women. “I was the first to believe in soft, unconstructed tailoring,” said Giorgio Armani. His collections were nothing less than genius, elegant, and empowering. “The Armani woman is confident, elegant, and not afraid to be herself.” He said. Beyond the runway, he was also an advocate for ethical practices, such as banning underweight models in 2007 at a time when it was still normalized in the fashion industry, as well as an advocate for sustainable fashion. Armani didn’t just revolutionize the fashion industry but also designed around 100 costume pieces for films, including “The Untouchables” (Brian de Palma), “Goodfellas” (Martin Scorsese), “Batman: The Dark Knight” (Christopher Nolan), and “Inglorious Bastards” (Quentin Tarantino), among other movies.

Even after his death, on September 4, 2025, at 91 years old, he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest designers in the world. With his effortless elegance and simple looks, he always made Milan Fashion Week one of the most anticipated events, even when other brands fell short. “I wanted to dress the woman who lives and works, not the woman in a painting.” Said Giorgio Armani. Even in his final days, Armani continued to work and design, showing the same dedication, love, and passion that defined his career.

So much that for this season’s Spring/Summer 2026 Milan Fashion Week, audiences witnessed his final two shows, his last collections he designed himself before passing leadership of the Armani Fashion House to a successor. People didn’t just get to see the shows, but two museums that opened in his honor, celebrating his 50-year legacy in Milan: “Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore” and “Armani Privé.” The exhibitions, open to both fans, celebrities, and family, featured work from his Privè and Haute Couture

collections as well as his ready-to-wear collections in a 30-room showcase.

The shows were nothing less than fantastic and a true reflection of his genius, from the clothes to the music by long-time sound designer, Matteo Ceccarini. Both show a tribute to life, history, and passion.

The first show, held at he Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, was considered one of the most significant moments of Milan Fashion Week. It was described by the Armani team as “a refined interpretation of identity, shaped by shifting influences and serene complexity.” The collection featured a lot of different looks,  ranging from a palette of whites, grays, blues, and other soft hues. The garments were fluid, light, and perfect for the spring and summer seasons. For every look on the runway, you could see the detail and craftsmanship that went into creating each garment. The collection felt comfortable, which was always a hallmark of Armani’s design philosophy, contrary to other brands that regard complexity over comfort. “Comfort and simplicity are two keys that I follow when it comes to fashion,” Armani said while talking about his collections. “There is no virtue in an absence of elegance.”

The second show, called “Pantelleria, Milano,” was inspired by both Milan and Pantelleria, two places within the same country yet distinct in their own character. It mixed together the history, culture, art, and city life of Milan, together with the more slow-paced, beachside charm of Pantelleria, an island in Sicily, where he owned a house and held dear to his heart. This collection started off with some simple yet intricate, lightweight, fluid garments in tones of white, cream, grays, olives, ash blues, and other muted colors. It then transitioned into a brighter palette electric blues, greens, and purples, with sequined, elegant sets and gowns. The final look of the collection featured a stunning, long, bright blue sequined gown worn by model Agnese Zogla, with Armani’s face intricately beaded and depicted on the bodice. “This collection, the last Giorgio Armani worked on personally, is in some ways a testament to style and the close of a cycle, so that new ones may begin," the brand said in the press notes. The show, originally the 50th anniversary of the Armani brand, instead became a heartfelt tribute to a legend of the fashion world.

Armani wasn’t just a creator and pioneer of fashion, but off the runway, a deeply kind and respected man, as described by many of his friends, family, and celebrities at the event. “I'm... humbled that we were invited to come back to Milano to celebrate his excellency,” said renowned director Spike Lee. “Apart from being an incredible designer, he was a humanitarian. He was an incredible philanthropist”, said actress Cate Blanchett. Armani will always be in history as one of the best designers in the world, and his passing be deeply felt, both personally and across the fashion world, especially on the runways of Milan Fashion Week.