Master of Classic Elegance

Ace designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away on September 4, was a visionary who brought Italian fashion to the world

- By SUNIL SETHI

If you just look at the Armani portfolio of product offerings, you will be gobsmacked—haute couture, relaxed suiting, jeans and T-shirts, beauty, homeware, café and hotels, chocolates, as well as Fiori floral shop et al.

He was selling a “total look”.

On the brand’s 40th anniversary in 2016, Piaggio Italy came up with a Vespa scooter 946, Emporio Armani edition, to celebrate the milestone. I recall very few pieces came to India; I could not get hold of even one and the dream remains unfulfilled. He also designed a one-off Fiat 500 car.

Giorgio Armani was supposed to have a big bash to celebrate 50 years of his eponymous brand, just before he passed away on September 4. The story began in 1975, with $10,000 as seed capital and a small office, but with this, the maverick managed to serenade the world with deconstructed menswear earning him a net revenue of €2.3 billion in 2024.