Milan and the fashion world say goodbye to Giorgio Armani

Milan stood still this weekend. Streets outside the Armani Theater, a space that had once come alive with the soft rustle of models’ steps and the hum of front-row whispers, were now lined with mourners.

They had come for one reason: to bid a final farewell to Giorgio Armani, the man who shaped modern elegance and placed Milan at the heart of the global style map.

The legendary designer passed away peacefully on Thursday at the age of 91, surrounded by loved ones in his central Milan home. True to his famously disciplined work ethic, he was designing until the very end. One of his last projects, a runway show marking the 50th anniversary of his signature Giorgio Armani brand, will still close Milan Fashion Week later this month, turning the event into a bittersweet tribute.

An elegance Milan will never forget

Inside the Armani Theater, the air was thick with both grief and gratitude. The designer’s coffin, adorned with pristine white roses, stood under the watch of carabinieri honour guards in ceremonial dress. Soft piano melodies by Ludovico Einaudi floated through the hall, the gentle flicker of candlelight reflecting off the walls. Above it all, a large projection of Armani’s smile played on a loop, accompanied by his parting words:

"The mark I hope to leave is one of commitment, respect and genuine care for people and for reality.

That's where everything truly begins." Donatella Versace arrived quietly, laying a bouquet of white flowers before slipping away without a word, a gesture that spoke volumes. Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, shared a memory of Armani calling him during a city scandal last year: “True friends show themselves. I am your true friend,” he had said.

Sala summed up what many felt: “Milan is full of signs of Armani. It will be impossible to forget him,” as reported by AP.

From admirers to acolytes

The lines of mourners stretched down the block. Some came from hours away, like Annamaria Longo Dorni, who wore a midnight blue Armani jacket she’d owned for two decades. “You put it on, and you’re perfect. It’s always up to date, even after 20 years,” she said, her voice carrying the pride of someone who knew she was wearing more than a garment, she was wearing history.

The public viewing continues until Sunday, after which a private funeral will be held.

The Italian government has declared Monday a day of national mourning - a rare honour, but one that feels entirely fitting.

A legacy sewn into the city

Milan bears Armani’s fingerprints everywhere: the Armani/Silos museum, the flagship stores, the Armani Hotel, and of course, the Theater where his magic unfolded each season. His support for the city’s cultural treasures, from Teatro alla Scala to the Olimpia Milan basketball team, showed his belief that style was not just clothing, but a way of elevating life.

Even his permanent billboards at Linate Airport and in the Brera district are now quiet monuments to his vision.Globally, Armani leaves behind an empire with revenues exceeding €2.3 billion and a personal fortune estimated between $10 and $12 billion. He was the pioneer of quiet luxury and the master of soft tailoring, his understated approach influencing everyone from Ralph Lauren to emerging talents like LVMH Prize-winner Soshi Otsuki.

Tributes have poured in from across the world, from Julia Roberts to Anna Wintour to Leonardo DiCaprio, all echoing the same sentiment: Armani didn’t just design clothes, he redefined how the world dressed.Milan will honour him once more during Fashion Week, when his 50th anniversary show and a special retrospective at the Pinacoteca di Brera will serve as the city’s last love letter to the man who taught us that true elegance whispers, it never shouts.