Giorgio Armani Turns 90

BY Beatriz Leal

July 11, 2024

See the most iconic moments of his career.

This Thursday (July 11), Giorgio Armani turns 90. The iconic Italian designer and owner of his namesake brand is still the creative director.

Known for his timeless elegance and influential contributions to haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion, Armani’s milestone marks a lifetime dedicated to shaping global fashion trends.

His brand, founded in 1975, has become synonymous with sophisticated tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and a modern aesthetic that transcends generations.

See the most iconic moments of his career!

In the 1980s, while fashion was dominated by broad shoulders and vibrant hues, Giorgio Armani stood out with a daring approach. His fall 1981 collection introduced a groundbreaking silhouette: the softened power suit. Armani revolutionized the traditional boxy blazer by adding a cinched waist and broader lapels, crafting a look that evoked power and femininity simultaneously.

Armani and Fendi Fall 1981 Ready to Wear Collections Runway
Photo by Fairchild Archive/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

Another iconic moment for Giorgio Armani was in 1995 when he unveiled a spring-summer collection that celebrated Eastern aesthetics, full of flowing kimono silhouettes, vibrant jewel tones, and elaborate Asian-inspired embroidery.

Models Trish Goff and Nadege du Bospertus
Photo by Davide Maestri/Penske Media via Getty Image

Ten years later, in 2005, at 70 years old, Armani took a new step in his career by launching his couture line, entitled Armani Privé. The debut of Privé reaffirmed his mastery, blending timeless sophistication with contemporary allure – and it’s just getting better, as we see nowadays.

On Armani Privé’s 10th anniversary, Giorgio Armani decided to break patterns and step into androgyny. On the runway, we saw jackets with structured shoulders paired elegantly with flowing skirts, and trousers tailored to drape gracefully on the feminine form, for example.

Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Armani Privé’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection presented a new take on glamour in the post-pandemic era. Opulent gowns and eveningwear were complemented by a fresh, laid-back beauty aesthetic, embodying the spirit of transitioning out of isolation.

The collection celebrated the spirit of the 1930s Art Deco era, channeling the ambiance of cabaret lounges and European nightlife through trompe l’oeil designs and abundant beadwork.

Courtesy of Armani

And there is more to come! Giorgio Armani recently announced that the 2025 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection will be presented in New York on October 17, outside the Milan Fashion Week official calendar.