Giorgio Armani, the best Italian fashion designer, dies at age 91, says his company

Giorgio Armani, the renowned Italian fashion designer, died at age 91, said his company in a statement shared Thursday on social networks.

“With infinite pain, the Armani group announces the death of its creator, founder and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” said the Giorgio Armani brand on Facebook.

The company said that “he died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. It was indefatigable until the end, he worked until his last days, dedicating himself to the company, collections and the many continuous and future projects.”

Born on July 11, 1934, in the Italian city of Piacenza, Armani attended the School of Medicine before leaving to follow a fashion career. Taking a job as comfortable in a department store in Milan, he finally trained in the Nino Cerruti workshop.

In 1975, Armani launched his own homonymous fashion label, and his designs resonated with the public that were attracted to their refined simplicity.

He had a great break when he designed Richard Gere’s wardrobe for the 1980 “American Gigolo” film.

“I was the first to soften the image of men and harden the image of women,” the designer wrote in his 2015 book. “I wore men with women’s fabrics and stole men what women wanted and needed: the power suit.”

Armani wore some of the world’s largest celebrities for appearances in red carpets, including Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and Michele Pfeiffer.

“The company is, now and always, a reflection of this spirit. His family and employees will take the group forward with respect and the continuity of these values,” said the Giorgio Armani brand in his statement on Thursday, and added that a funeral chamber would be established from Saturday to Sunday, within the Armani/Theater in Milan, and that, according to the desires of the designating, a funeral would be held.

This last minute news will be updated.

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