Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani is an influential Italian entrepreneur and fashion designer, recognized as the most successful Italian designer in history. Born in rural Piacenza, Italy, he developed a passion for fashion during his childhood, which was shaped by his experiences during World War II. After initially studying medicine, Armani transitioned to the fashion industry, beginning his career as a window dresser at Milan's La Rinascente department store, eventually working for notable fashion houses. In 1974, he launched his own label, Giorgio Armani S.p.A., and gained widespread fame after designing costumes for the film "American Gigolo."
Armani's designs are known for their sophistication and comfort, as he pioneered the unstructured suit and integrated menswear elements into women's fashion. His brand expanded to include a wide range of products beyond clothing, such as eyewear, accessories, and even home furnishings. Throughout his career, Armani has maintained control over his brand and has been actively involved in charity work, supporting various causes related to the arts, children, and the environment. His philanthropic efforts include co-founding the Martin Scorsese Cinema Foundation and contributing to numerous environmental charities, showcasing his commitment to using his success for the greater good.
Giorgio Armani
Fashion Designer
- Born: July 11, 1934
- Place of Birth: Piacenza, Italy
ITALIAN ENTREPRENEUR AND FASHION DESIGNER
Armani founded a fashion empire and is the most successful Italian designer in history. A very private person, he devotes his time to running his business and charity.
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Sale of products
BEQUEATHAL OF WEALTH: Charity
Early Life
Giorgio Armani (JOR-jee-oh ahr-MAHN-ee) was born in rural Piacenza, Italy, to a hardworking family. His way to escape World War II, which claimed the lives of several friends and caused him and his sister to be strafed, was going to the cinema, where he developed his love of fashion, particularly from the 1930s. After the war the family moved to Milan and Armani began studying medicine, which he hated. In 1957, he returned to Milan after completing military service. An interest in photography led to a job at La Rinascente, Milan’s largest department store. On the basis of his photographs of his sister, Armani was hired as a window dresser, his first job in fashion.
First Ventures
In 1961, Armani began working for Nino Cerruti, designing menswear for the Hitman line. In 1970, Armani left Cerruti to open a new business with Sergio Galeotti, his business partner until Galeotti’s untimely death in 1985, freelancing and marketing his own designs. His first major collection, shown in Florence in 1973, included leather as an everyday fabric. This success led to the 1974 creation of his own label, Giorgio Armani S.p.A. menswear, followed in 1975 by his women’s wear line. Armani’s designs are characterized by his love of sophistication and comfort. Basing women’s wear on menswear, he revolutionized the structure of suits and was instrumental in introducing menswear fabrics into women’s wear lines. He is credited with the creation of the unstructured suit and the power suit. In 1980, Armani became world famous after designing the clothes for the film American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere.
Mature Wealth
Capitalizing on American Gigolo, Armani opened his first store in 1982, Emporio Armani Milan. He encouraged film stars to wear Armani clothes at the Academy Awards, ushering in the trend of designer-dressed actors on the red carpet. In 1982, Armani graced the cover of Time, the second fashion designer ever so honored. The 1980s began a decades-long period of continuing growth for Giorgio Armani S.p.A. and his personal fortune. Although Galeotti’s death devastated Armani, he threw himself into work, diversifying and designing eyewear, blue jeans, prêt-à-porter, haute couture, accessories, perfume, underwear, and foodstuffs, while maintaining his original men’s and women’s wear lines. Armani took over many Italian fashion businesses, such as the knitwear firm Deanna S.p.A, Simint manufacturing company, and Guardi shoemakers. Armani loves cinema, and he has designed wardrobes for more than two hundred films.
The 2000s saw a move from purely clothing- and accessory-based designs to a greater interest in large-scale fashion. Having helped to design worldwide Armani retail sites, he developed the Armani Home collection of household furnishings. In 2005, he contracted to build and design a group of resort hotels, beginning in Dubai. Throughout his career, Armani has retained total financial and creative control of his empire, making it one of the only fashion houses to be owned by a single person. In 2021, Armani entered a sponsorship deal with Scuderia Ferrari, during which he would provide official and travel outfits to members of the Scuderia Ferrari motorsport team.
Legacy
Armani contributes to many charities, focusing on the arts, children, refugees, science, and the environment. He cofounded the Martin Scorsese Cinema Foundation to save old films. His work supporting international refugees led to an ambassadorship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He has donated money to build and restore theaters, museums, research facilities, and medical centers. Since the 1990s he has worked for many environmental charities, including musician Bono’s Project Red and Don’t Bungle the Jungle. He has raised millions of dollars through the sales of T-shirts and other products specifically designed for charities, such as the UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) Armani doll. He built a breeding facility in Seoul in order to help save the Korean tiger. One of the most honored fashion designers, Armani spends his time continuing to design and to help the less fortunate around the globe.
Further Reading
Celent, Germano, and Harold Koda. Giorgio Armani. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2000.
Martin, Richard, and Harold Koda. Giorgio Armani: Images of Man. New York: Rizzoli, 1990.
Molho, Renata. Being Armani: A Biography. Milan: Baldini Castoldi Dalai Editore, 2008.
Salibian, Sandra. "Giorgio Armani to Dress Scuderia Ferrari's Team." WWD, 9 Mar. 2021, wwd.com/feature/giorgio-armani-to-dress-scuderia-ferraris-team-1234774121. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.