Designers, celebrities, politicians, and artists of all variety are paying tribute to legendary designer Giorgio Armani after it was announced by the Armani group that he passed away last week at the age of 91.
Embed from Getty Images
Armani is being remembered as a “true friend,” “an immense talent,” and “a visionary.”
“The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever,” wrote Donatella Versace.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour praised his influence: “For him fashion wasn’t one thing: it was also film, music, sport, art, design, and architecture, and he left his mark in all these worlds.
Fashion designer Valentino Garavani said Armani was “a friend, never a rival … I can only bow to his immense talent.”
Ralph Lauren praised him as “a designer who never strayed from his vision … a man who loved his family and friends, and his homeland in such a special way.”
Prada group’s Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli said “Armani was a Maestro recognized for his elegance and creativity, and an undisputed protagonist of Italian and international fashion.”
Julia Roberts wrote that Armani was “A true friend. A legend,” adding a broken heart emoji. Roberts and Armani made one of the most memorable Golden Globe looks of all time with a steel grey oversized suit, white shirt, and tie.
Embed from Getty Images
Russell Crowe remembered a time he lost his bags on the way to the 1997 Cannes film festival, which led him to discovering Armani.
“I adored him. He was so kind. So many significant moments in my life, awards, wedding, Wimbledon … all in Armani. What a life he had, from his beginnings to his glory.”
Jessica Chastain recounted meeting her husband at an Armani show in Paris, and Leonardo DiCaprio described Armani as “a visionary whose influence reached far beyond design”.
Cate Blanchett said: “The private man leaves a void that is impossible to fill.”
Victoria Beckham said: “The fashion world has lost a true legend in Giorgio Armani – a visionary designer whose legacy will live on forever. I feel honoured to have called him a friend.”
Martin Scorsese said Armani “was a real artist, and a great one – people use the term ‘timeless’ quite often, but in his case it happens to be true.” Scorsese directed the 1990 documentary “Made in Milan,” to show the behind-the-scenes life of Armani.
Armani was often referred to as the “king of the blazer,” and pioneering “soft power dressing,” according to the Guardian. His designs often graced red carpets and award shows.
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, praised Armani as “an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
