The fashion world mourns the passing of a true giant. Giorgio Armani died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones, at the age of 91. His personal and professional era, marked by rigour, sophisticated sobriety and vision, fades away, but leaves an indelible mark.
His voice: phrases that tell an ideal of life and style
Armani was not just a fashion designer: he was a philosopher of elegance. His words - simple, but loaded with meaning - continue to speak of him better than any commemoration.
"Elegance is not about being noticed, it is about being remembered."
"Fashion is that which is suggested and often best avoided; style, on the other hand, is that which each person has and must keep throughout his or her life."
"Style consists of the correct balance between knowing who you are, what suits you and how you want to develop your character. Clothes thus become the natural expression of this balance."
"Fashion for me is a craft, made up of imagination and concreteness, intuition and rigour, momentum and control. There is nothing divine or sensational about it, but it has an incredible impact on everyday life."
"My style started as a heresy, very strong, bold, lonely, and if it then became 'essence of Italianness' I am proud of it."
A portrait emerges from these extracts: Armani He did not seek ostentation, but created an essential, never shouted elegance. He tended towards the essential, based on authenticity and simplicity.
His latest reflections: a candid assessment
In his latest interview with the Financial Timespublished a few days before his death, Armani confessed a single regret: having devoted too much time to work at the expense of friends and affections. It is a moment of profound humanity, in which dedication to one's profession is intertwined with a sense of personal sacrifice .
He also expressed his desire for a 'smooth and organic' succession, relying on the connection with key people like Leo Dell'Orc and his family. A final demonstration of responsibility: a leader who never wanted to be simply remembered, but who thought about the future of his creation.
The world reacts: tributes from Hollywood and institutions
Reactions to his passing were unanimous and emotional:
Celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mr and Mrs Beckham and Donatella Versace remembered Armani as a 'visionary' and a generous friend, capable of leaving a human and creative mark .
The Italian Prime Minister called him an 'icon, a symbol of the best Italy', while the President of the Republic celebrated him as an 'Italian genius in the world' .
Farewell to Giorgio ArmaniA reserved man, a master of balance, an architect of an aesthetic that speaks to the heart. His example reminds us that style is neither fast nor superficial, but slow, considered, authentic.
Armani has left the stage, but his silent empire will remain alive in the fabrics, in the rigour, in the elegance that knows how to say a lot while remaining subdued.
