The fashion world is mourning the loss of Giorgio Armani, the legendary designer who defined Italian elegance and made the power suit a global symbol. For five decades, he dressed the world’s biggest stars at their most glamorous moments—from the Oscars’ red carpet to the screens of iconic films.

On September 4, the Armani Group announced the death of its founder and creative director at the age of 91. “Signor Armani passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the official statement read. “Tireless until the end, he worked through his final days, devoted to the company, the collections, and future projects.”

The fashion industry bid farewell to the “Maestro” with moving tributes. Linda Evangelista, Donatella Versace, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jenny Balatsinou were just some of the many who paid homage to the man who rewrote the rules of style.

Armani’s career began relatively late—at age 40 in the mid-1970s—when he launched his own label. Less than a decade later, he was on the cover of Time, dressing Sophia Loren and designing costumes for landmark films. By the 1990s, his name had become synonymous both with Hollywood glamour and with the image of the modern working woman: Armani power suits embodied confidence and authority.

With the same mastery that redefined menswear, he brought tailoring to the red carpet through his custom-made creations. From Viola Davis to Angelina Jolie, Armani crafted unforgettable looks. “I was among the first to dress stars both on and off screen,” he said in 2013. “I made them feel more confident, more comfortable.”

As news of his passing spread, so did reflections on his iconic collaborations with stars like Beyoncé, Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Taylor Swift. Stylist Brad Goreski recalled Armani’s designs worn by Demi Moore during last year’s awards season. At the 2025 Golden Globes, where Moore won her first major award for a dramatic role, she stunned in a dazzling Armani Privé gown that echoed the shine of her trophy. “We were truly lucky to wear such incredible Privé creations at Cannes and to have custom gowns for the Golden Globes and Oscars,” Goreski wrote. “Thank you for the beautiful memories and the honor of working with you.”

His legacy was evident again this year at the Venice Film Festival, where stars such as Cate Blanchett and Sadie Sink appeared in Armani Privé and ’80s-inspired suits. Until the very end, Armani remained a creator of the future, leaving an indelible mark on the present.

A successor has yet to be announced. But perhaps the most fitting farewell came in a simple Instagram tribute: “A man who always deserved a standing ovation. Your vision of beauty will be missed.”