Italian fashion designer and founder of the Armani empire Giorgio Armani has died aged 91.
The Milan-based designer is best known for his Haute Couture line, which expanded into music, sport and luxury hotels.
He is acclaimed as one of the most successful Italian-born designers and is renowned for his red carpet designs.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said in a statement on Thursday.
He had been unwell for some time, and was forced to drop out of his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June, the first time in his career that he had missed one of his catwalk events.
The company did not give a cause of death.
Known as “Re Giorgio”, or King Giorgio, the designer was known for overseeing every detail of his collection and every aspect of his business, from advertising to fixing models’ hair as they head out on to the runway.
A funeral chamber will be set up on Saturday and Sunday in Milan, the company said, followed by a private funeral at an unspecified date.
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