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Paying tribute to Giorgio Armani : the legend who revolutionized menswear
At the beginning of the 1980s, he revolutionized menswear, making it softer and more sensual. His vision was soon embraced by the most celebrated actors in Hollywood,from Richard Gere and Robert De Niro to Brad Pitt. A success that Giorgio Armani built on an empire of clothing and lifestyle in black, grey and white. Following his passing at 91, on this Thursday September 4th 2025, Numéro pays tribute to the discerning italian designer Giorgio Armani.
Homage to the italian fashion icon, Giorgio Armani
Following the passing of Giorgio Armani at 91, men can only be forever grateful of the extraordinary work he has done for them. Half-way through the 70s, the italian designer found menswear too restrictive, blocking men’s movements instead of embracing it. As a free-lance stylist, he spoke out about the issue to entrepreneurs – from whom he was mandating collections. Hence, tailoring clothes to his vision : simplifying jackets, adding volume to pants…For a while, no one wanted to follow him in this creative direction, leading the Italian designer to found his own house, in July 1975.
Much as Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith, Giorgio Armani is one of the rare designers to earn money in menswear, from the very start of his career. He starts in a retail store which gives him direct contact with the customers and market’s needs. Then, he became Nino Cerruti’s creative assistant in menswear collections. Alongside the weavers heir turned ready-to-wear designer in 1967, Giorgio Armani discovered the insight behind the clothing industry, from its sketches to his confection.
Giorgio Armani attempted to share this newly acquired knowledge to a wide range of people after investing in a design office in 1973. It unraveled unsuccessfully, the italian industry at that time was leaning too much on handcraft and not enough on innovation. After two years battling against Italian conservatism, he moved his ideas to a fashion house of his own.
Giorgio Armani : a visionary designer
He is encouraged and supported in the creation of this company by his boyfriend Sergio Galeotti, in charge of the administration and finances. Unfortunately, he passed away a decade later. This passing has crippling effects on the designer who in the grieving stage has to step down from working. Despite this hardship, the brand still grew over the years – making the suit a must-have. We must say that the Armani suit attracts the coastal ragazzi, with its bending look, round shoulders, tailored to perfection. And not only has Giorgio Armani caught up with Nino Cerruti in popularity, but he also took on dressing actors that he deemed influential on the public’s opinion.
In 1980, Richard Gere appeared on American Gigolo wearing Giorgio Armani. To fit the screenplay, the beautiful man is often shot in his closet, hesitating among thousands of suits and shirts designed by Amarni. The feature-film, directed by Paul Schrader, covers the emerging brand immensely. At that time, women were managing their husband’s clothes, who did not have the sex appeal of the mysterious Julian Kaye on screen.
Many of them would also turn to Armani, the designer also bringing womenswear to his fashion house. Quickly, perfumes and cosmetics, glasses, watches and jewellery also take off. Then, Emporio Armani takes over sportswear, Armani Jeans circles around denim, Giorgio Armani Privé in haute couture and Armani/Casa in the decoration and interior design department – so much so without leaving where his maestro lies : menswear. From one show to the next, Giorgio Armani tirelessly returned to his craft. A craft woven in shades of greige and navy, defined by silhouettes both fluid and precise, which profoundly shaped men’s fashion in the 1980s.
