Are you interested in learning facts about Giorgio Armani, the ever-famous Italian fashion designer? We’ve compiled some interesting facts about Giorgio Armani’s personal life, career, and everything that will pique your interest.
As the founder of the designer brand Armani, Giorgio Armani is a source of pride for Piacenza, Italy. Born as a middle child on July 11, 1934, he was raised by his parents Maria Raimondi and his accountant father, Hugo Armani, alongside his elder brother (Sergio) and younger sister (Rossana).
From Piacenza to Milan to Hollywood and beyond, Giorgio Armani’s journey has led him to become one of the world’s most influential fashion designers.
Armani’s designs are unique among other artists’ work because of his skillful use of soft colors and premium fabrics, creating clothing that make its wearers feel truly luxurious. His signature style effortlessly combined luxury with comfort in ready-to-wear clothing and brought a touch of modern elegance to late 20th-century fashion.
Let’s dive into intriguing facts about this iconic figure in the fashion world, including his significant contributions, creations, and even philanthropic endeavors that are truly inspiring.
16 Interesting Facts About Giorgio Armani
Here are 16 interesting facts about Giorgio Armani worth knowing.
1. Giorgio Armani aspired to be a doctor
Giorgio Armani attended college for three years, where he studied medicine at the University of Milan. He even applied his medical knowledge when he joined the military and was assigned to Verona Military Hospital.
However, after completing his military training, rather than pursuing a career in medicine, he found a job in the fashion industry.
And the rest is history.
2. He worked as a sales clerk and freelance designer
In 1957, after two years of military training, Armani became a sales clerk at a department store in Milan named La Rinascente.
This job gave him exposure to various menswear, different garment textiles, and home furniture, enabling him to experience firsthand fashion marketing.
His career as a freelance designer flourished when he started designing menswear for the Nino Cerruti company during the mid-1960s. At the same time, he made contributions to several fashion companies.
3. He launched his own label in 1975
Photo: El arte y la moda via Facebook
With his friend and business partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani launched his own label in 1975 by selling his car.
With Armani handling the designs and Sergio managing the accounting, the two started the business. The Armani brand at that time offered both men’s and women’s wear. He described himself then as the first to soften the image of a man and redefine the image of a woman.
Armani’s bold approach to using interchangeable fabrics for both genders while adhering to minimalist designs garnered admiration from critics and fashion enthusiasts alike.
4. Armani is publicly known as a member of the LGBT community
While Armani is not vocal about his sexuality, it is openly known to the public that he is bisexual.
His business partner, Sergio Galeotti, was also his lover from the 1970s. Sergio was the man beside him when he was starting his brand from scratch.
Sergio died of a heart attack in 1985.
In a Vanity Fair interview in 2000, Armani stated, “I have had women in my life. And sometimes men.”
5. He gained international recognition after American Gigolo
Armani’s breakthrough on the international fashion scene came when his creations gained widespread attention after being featured in the movie American Gigolo in 1980. Richard Gere’s character in the film was dressed in Armani’s clothing, including neckties and coats.
Following this success, Armani went on to design costumes for numerous other actors in movies such as The Untouchables in 1987, Duplicity in 2009, The Dark Knight in 2008, and The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013.
He also had the opportunity to dress singer Lady Gaga for her Monster Ball and Born This Way tours.
6. Armani expanded his brand and gave it specific names
Since 1975, Armani’s brand has been unstoppable, continuously growing and expanding into various specific names.
There’s A/X: Armani Exchange, offering affordable yet chic clothes tailored to younger generations.
Emporio Armani is Armani’s second brand, specializing in ready-to-wear collections with a focus on contemporary styles. This line features modern designs, including intimate apparel worn by celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham, sportswear favored by Cristiano Ronaldo, and accessories seen on Shawn Mendez, among many others.
Armani Collezioni offers a line of perfumes with more affordable prices compared to the original Giorgio Armani line.
Armani Junior and Armani Baby cater to toddlers, kids, and teenagers with complete clothing and accessory collections.
Armani/Casa encompasses his creations in home furnishings.
Armani/Dolci is Armani’s own confectionery brand, offering chocolates, jams, honey, teas, biscuits, and sugar.
For floral arrangements, you can turn to Armani’s brand, Armani/Flori.
Additionally, Armani boasts its own hotel, the Armani Hotel, and its own club, the Armani Privé Club.
8. He’s been credited with pioneering the red carpet
Photo: @giorgioarmani via Instagram
Armani’s love for dressing celebrities led him to initiate the idea of dressing them for movie events and red carpets.
He has dressed actresses like Michelle Pfeiffer, Jodie Foster, and Cate Blanchett for various red carpet events, to name a few.
9. He was the first haute couture designer in the world to broadcast his collection on the Internet
A risky move for many, but not for Armani when he decided to share his creations with the online world via live broadcast.
It was considered the first haute couture show to make use of the latest technological innovation in 2007.
10. He lost two Sergios in his life
The man behind Armani’s success, Sergio Galeotti, was an architectural designer and his life partner.
Sergio was the one who encouraged Armani to start his own label. His death due to a heart attack in 1985 was incredibly painful for Armani.
And in 1996, Armani lost his older brother named Sergio, whom he remembered vividly when talking about his childhood. Sergio reminded him of the puppet games they used to play.
11. He banned skinny models in his shows
It was Giorgio Armani who first banned models with a BMI of 18 or lower, commonly referred to as “size zero,” from his runway.
Models like Luisel Ramos from Uruguay and Ana Carolina Reston from Brazil tragically died due to anorexia nervosa. These models starved themselves to achieve a smaller body shape, despite the harmful effects on their health.
Armani even urged fellow designers to take similar measures and help combat anorexia.
11. He partnered with Emaar Properties PJSC for the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa
On April 10, 2010, in collaboration with Emaar Properties PJSC, Giorgio Armani’s eponymous hotel was inaugurated in Dubai’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
The 39-floor Armani Hotel comprises 160 guest rooms and suites, as well as 144 residences.
Inside the hotel is Armani’s private residence, featuring an interior he personally designed.
12. Armani received the highest recognition in Italy
On July 14, 2021, Giorgio Armani was awarded the civilian honor of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in recognition of his outstanding performance and contributions to the field of arts, which have brought immense pride to the country.
As a legend and an icon in the fashion industry, the award was presented to him personally by President Sergio Mattarella.
The award ceremony took place in a private setting at the Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome, and Armani felt deeply honored and proud to receive such a prestigious title.
13. He is the world’s richest fashion designer
According to Forbes‘ 2023 World Billionaires list, Armani’s net worth has reached $11.5 billion, earning him the title of the “king of Italian couture.”
Given his continued dedication to designing for as long as possible, it’s not impossible for his wealth to continue growing.
14. Armani has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors
Giorgio Armani not only focuses on his passion, which is fashion, but he has also been involved in philanthropic endeavors.
He sponsors various sports and fashion events and is enthusiastic about helping eliminate poverty and AIDS by supporting organizations like UNICEF.
Regarding the recent problem of the COVID-19 virus spreading around the world, Armani was one of the many who provided support to his home country, Italy, which was heavily devastated by the pandemic.
Hospitals in Milan, Rome, and government agencies that provide support during emergencies benefited from the donation, which amounted to €1.25 million.
15. Giorgio Armani’s new autobiography book is entitled Per Amore
Per Amore, meaning “with love” in Italian, is Giorgio Armani’s latest autobiography book. It was based on the official illustrated book from 2015 entitled Giorgio Armani published by Rizzoli.
The new book is a revised edition of what was told in the illustrated one. It offers a more direct account of his journey in building the Armani brand and his experiences in the fashion industry.
The book still contains bits about his personal life and family, along with philosophies that will inspire aspiring designers or even ignite a desire to learn about fashion for those who are not into it.
It also includes memorable photos of Armani at a young age, during special events, and with notable people. While the 2015 edition is more of a coffee table book with lots of memorable photos.
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16. Armani loves sailing
Armani is passionate about sailing, and he owns three superyachts that he uses for leisurely trips.
His latest acquisition is a 236-foot Admiral named Project Metamorphosis, which embodies Armani’s superb design sense. Its interior features his very own home furnishing brand, Armani Casa.
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In 2003, he acquired Mariù, a 164-foot Codecasa yacht, which was his first and named after his mother. The second yacht was named Main, a 236-foot vessel, after his mother’s nickname.
Armani’s yacht interiors still showcase minimalist elegance. So Armani!