Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has been farewelled in a private funeral service in Milan.
The 91-year-old was laid to rest on Monday at the Church of San Martino in Rivalta, with only his close family and friends in attendance. It followed a two-day public viewing of his coffin at the Armani Theatre in the Italian fashion capital, where over 15,000 mourners filed past his casket, adorned with white roses, to pay their respects.
As head of the Armani Empire, ‘King Giorgio’ redefined the fashion scene. Known for his simple but glamorous fashion sense, he built a world renowned brand that became a staple of Hollywood stars.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the group announced on Thursday.
Although no cause of death was provided, Armani had been unwell for quite some time, missing one of his catwalk events, along with his groups shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June for the first time in his career.
Over the weekend, the theatre hosted a public viewing (camera ardente), with the private funeral following near his hometown of Piacenza, in Northern Italy.
The Giorgio way
Armani redefined the fashion scene, focusing on more modern, practical silhouettes, ushering in commercial success through the ages.
He had a reputation for being involved in every part of the business, from marketing to adjusting a models’ hair minutes before they began their runway walk.
In 1978, headlines wrote themselves as Diane Keaton began the love story between Armani and the stars.
Sporting a loose blazer and a layered skirt at the Academy Awards, Giorgio told Grazia that he wanted to give Keaton “something that could compete sartorially with what [her] male colleagues were wearing.”
Armani has featured everywhere in Hollywood, with many celebrated achievements, styling stars with the brand from Leondardo Di Caprio to George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Perhaps the most iconic piece was worn by Richard Gere in the film American Gigolo (1980) which is often credited with cementing Armani’s Hollywood presence.
An Australian empire
The first ever Armani store opened in Australia in Sydney’s Martin Place in 1995. Bringing its luxury fashion house to Australia, was a symbol of changing times for fashion Down Under.
Alongside his fashion empire, Giorgio Armani became the single largest contributor to the Australian Theatre Company, and made the largest ever cash donation to the Sydney Theatre Company, after being persuaded by Australian actress Cate Blanchett in 2007.
At the time Blanchett said: “The prospect of the STC embarking upon a creative relationship with an artist of Mr Armani’s experience and calibre is not only an inspiring but expansive one.”
Following the passing of Armani, Blanchett took to Instagram to post a wholesome photo of the two, captioned “Giorgio” with a bandaged heart.
The pair shared a close bond, Blanchett being the muse of the Giorgio Armani fashion empire, and Armani remained a lifelong patron of the STC.
What now?
As successful as Armani was, the importance of the business was dependent on trusting only a few people.
Giorgio’s heirs are expected to include his sister Rosanna, two nieces and a nephew working in the business, long-term collaborator Dell’Orco and a foundation.
In his autobiography, Per Amore, he vowed his company, seen as a part of his family, would be curated by the people who surrounded him.
“There will be an Armani after Armani,” he wrote.
Main image of Giorgio Armani by Bruno Cordioli/Flickr.
