FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The fashion world has lost a giant. Giorgio Armani, the designer who transformed the way modern men and women dress, has passed away at the age of 91. For many, his name was not just a brand, but synonymous with Italian elegance, discipline and timeless vision.
Childhood and education
Armani was born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, to a modest family. He was the third, youngest, and favorite child of his mother, Maria, who inherited his sensitivity to aesthetics and refinement. After World War II, the family moved to Milan, the city that would become the scene of his success.
He initially enrolled in medical school, drawn to the idea of dealing with the human body. But after three years, he dropped out. He often said that anatomy – understanding the human body – was the foundation that would later help him create clothes that fit “real bodies.”
In 1957, he started working at La Rinascente, one of Italy's largest shopping malls. He initially worked as a window dresser and window dresser. It was there that his unique eye for lines and aesthetics began to take shape.
Meeting Nino Cerruti and the first steps in fashion
In 1964, the famous designer Nino Cerruti, seeing his work, entrusted him with his company's menswear line. It was a turning point: Armani showed that he had the ability to reformat classic clothing by making it lighter, more functional, more modern.
During the same period, he met Sergio Galeotti, a young architect and entrepreneur, who would become his life and business partner. Galeotti was the manager, while Armani was the creator.
Founding of the empire
In 1975, the Giorgio Armani brand was born, with Galeotti’s support. He also coined a new term – “stylist” – distinguishing himself from classical tailors and French couturiers. “I create a style, I don’t just make clothes,” Armani would say.
His innovation was deconstruction: he removed unnecessary layers, made jackets looser, pants more comfortable. Women dressed with the same philosophy as men: for work, for everyday life, but always with class.
International success came with the film “American Gigolo” (1980), where actor Richard Gere wore his suits. From there, the Armani name became known worldwide. Just two years later, in 1982, he appeared on the cover of Time magazine – a privilege reserved for the most influential personalities on the planet.
In the 80s and 90s, the Armani brand expanded in all directions: Emporio Armani, Armani Privé (high fashion), perfumes, watches, eyewear, accessories, the EA7 sportswear line, even hotels and restaurants. The philosophy was the same: elegance without excess, beauty without fuss.
Armani often said: "Style is elegance, not extravagance. It is not important to be seen, but to be remembered."
Great loss and transformation
In 1985, his life took a painful turn. Sergio Galeotti died suddenly, leaving a huge void. “After that day, I was no longer just a designer, I became an entrepreneur,” Armani recalled. With his head down, iron determination, and endless work, he built the company into a global empire. He was the first to enter the office and the last to turn off the lights.
Empire and the refusal to sell
Over the decades, the Giorgio Armani brand has become one of the giants of the fashion industry. The company is valued in the billions of euros, but he has rejected all offers to sell it, whether from French luxury groups or American investors. “My name is on this brand, and that is a bond that can never be sold,” he said.
Legacy
In recent years, Armani carefully prepared his legacy: he left the creative direction to his grandchildren and especially his niece Silvana Armani, while entrusting management to his partner, Leo Dell'Orco. He arranged everything with the Giorgio Armani Foundation, which guarantees the continuity of his vision.
The end of an era
Even in his last days, at the age of 91, he did not stop working. He endorsed the 50th anniversary collection, symbolically bought “La Capannina”, the place where his story with Galeotti began, and enjoyed wine with his family in Forte dei Marmi.
But on September 8, 2024, Milan, the city that raised him, declared a day of mourning for the loss of the icon that made Italy synonymous with elegance worldwide.
Armani himself left a message about his legacy:
"The mark I want to leave is built on dedication, respect, and care for people and for reality. That's where everything starts."
Lini një Përgjigje