Giorgio Armani, an icon of Made in Italy, has died . The designer and entrepreneur, a true fashion genius known and appreciated throughout the world, turned 91 on July 11th.
In June, "King George" missed his fashion house's shows during Milan Fashion Week. The company announced that he was recovering from a hospital stay: "He is well, but prefers to recover at home," it wrote in a statement.
The chapel of rest will be set up starting Saturday, September 6th and will be open to visitors until Sunday, September 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in Milan, at Via Bergognone 59, at the Armani/Teatro. In accordance with Armani's express wishes, the funeral will be held privately, and a day of mourning has been declared in the Lombardy capital.
COMPANY NOTE
"With profound sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani. Mr. Armani, as he was always called with respect and admiration by his employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Tireless, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, its collections, and the diverse and ever-changing projects both current and in progress," the company said in a statement.
Over the years, Giorgio Armani has created a vision that has extended from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and concreteness. He was guided by an inexhaustible curiosity, a focus on the present and on people. Along this path, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to communicate with everyone. Always attentive to the needs of the community, he was committed on many fronts, especially towards his beloved Milan.
"Giorgio Armani," the statement continues, "is a company with fifty years of history, grown with emotion and patience. Giorgio Armani has always made independence, in thought and action, his hallmark. The company is the reflection, today and always, of this sentiment. The family and employees will lead the Group forward with respect and continuity for these values."
In this company, we have always felt part of a family. Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the person who founded this family and helped it grow with vision, passion, and dedication. But it is precisely in his spirit that together, we employees and the family members who always worked alongside Mr. Armani, are committed to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility, and love.
WHO WAS
Born on July 11, 1935 in Piacenza, his career began in 1975 and over the years led him to head a fiercely independent group that became a symbol of Made in Italy.
In 50 years of work, consecrated by Time magazine covers, by success in Hollywood, by One Night Onlys around the world, by the honor of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic bestowed on him by President Mattarella, never a contradiction, never a transgression to an ethic based on dedication and passion.
He was a perfectionist, capable of inspecting every window display and fashion show one by one, closely monitoring every detail. He described himself as a "rational creative." "The drive," he said in his native Piacenza, in honor of the honorary degree awarded to him by the Catholic University, "always comes from passion, from an intuition, and from the burning desire to realize it. Every idea, ultimately, is the fruit of falling in love, and this work, which for me is life, is a continuous act of love."
In his speech to the students at the Catholic University, Giorgio Armani also recalled one of the most difficult moments of his life: the death of his business partner and companion Sergio Galeotti, who passed away in 1985, ten years after founding Giorgio Armani with him. "Fate put me to the test, and following the passing of my business partner, to ensure Giorgio Armani's survival, I had to personally take charge of the company. Many thought I wouldn't make it, but," he said with great sincerity, "thanks to my tenacity and the support of those close to me, I managed to keep going."
Armani changed the way men and women dress: "And this is one of my greatest satisfactions," he said. "I made my revolution, subtle and subtle, but powerful," he said, "by breaking down the rules of dress that had existed for 30 or 40 years, like proposing an evening dress with a low heel, removing stiffness from the jacket, imagining that a woman could dress like a man."
"Elegance isn't about being noticed, but about being remembered" is one of his most famous quotes. And today, more than ever, it's the most fitting way to celebrate not only the designer, but the man who gave quietly, without flaunting his work, who personally checked his shop windows until the last minute, who hand-wrote thank-you notes to those who attended his shows. He, the man who was on first-name terms with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, who entered La Scala arm-in-arm with Sophia Loren, who was celebrated the world over, was above all this: a gentleman at heart.
THE RELATIONSHIP WITH SARDINIA
His connection to the island was profound. He often vacationed in Sardinia and never denied his love for the region and its sea, a true source of inspiration for him.
He was last spotted two years ago in Tortolì . A regatta named after him is held in Porto Cervo, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and is the main sponsor.
BASKETBALL
Patron of Olimpia, which bears his name, Armani also received condolences from Dinamo Sassari, the Milanese team's historic rival.
This is the statement from the Sardinian club: "Dinamo Banco di Sardegna, President Stefano Sardara, and the entire staff mourn the passing of Olimpia Milano's owner, Giorgio Armani. An extraordinary figure and symbol of Italian excellence, Giorgio Armani was not only a point of reference in the world of sport, but also a true icon of international business and fashion. His vision, his unmistakable style, and his ability to combine elegance, passion, and commitment left a profound mark on every area in which he operated. Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go to Olimpia Milano, his family, and all his loved ones."
And the Italian national basketball team, playing today against Cyprus for the European Championship, takes to the court wearing black armbands.
(Unioneonline)