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Briefs history of catwalk king at 90 as he misses first show

- FRAN BOWDEN

WHETHER he is dressing stars in suits or gowns with sharp silhouettes, or persuading footballers to strip down to their undies, Giorgio Armani has been the constant face of fashion for 50 years.

So the news that the ever-present 90-year-old billionaire would miss his own Milan Fashion Week show for the first time in his company’s history caused ripples across the industry.

Italian media reports revealed he had briefly been in hospital in Milan, while his firm issued a statement on Friday saying he is ‘currently recovering at home’.

Nothing more was mentioned about his state of health.

He missed one show on Saturday, and tomorrow's show, revealing the Spring-Summer 2026 collections of his self-titled luxury brand, will have head of menswear design, Leo Dell'Orco, giving the closing bows.

The fashion house insisted: “Armani has worked with his usual dedication on the collections that will be presented. Although he cannot be there in person, he will closely follow every phase of the shows”.

The man, who has built the business he started in 1975 into a €12billion empire, is due to turn 91 on July 11.

Despite his determination to keep working every day “even when I'm on holiday,” some are wondering what next if he does finally leave the runway behind.