Leonardo Di Caprio received his Oscar in an Armani suit. His designs also made it onto the big screen, changing the way we look at male elegance. Initially inconspicuous, Giorgio Armani is now a cult figure in the fashion world, setting trends for several decades. Giorgio Armani and his biography are an inspiration for young people who want to escape poverty. Today we would say that this Italian has fulfilled his American dream. The Giorgio Armani brand is worth about 6 billion dollars, and its owner (the sole shareholder) is currently 89 years old and has no descendants. In 2016, he decided who would take over after his death or when he decided to retire.
Giorgio Armani and his biography – he was supposed to be a doctor
The king of fashion, as the Italians called him years ago, comes from Piacenza, he was born in 1934. His parents had nothing to do with the world of neither small nor big fashion, unlike Versace, who had been involved in fashion since he was a young boy. Armani’s mother was a mother of three children, and his father was an accountant who worked for a transport company. There was not much money in the house, so young Armani intended to focus on a safe profession that would provide him and his loved ones with a good financial future. That is why he chose medicine.
The difficult post-war times were not conducive to education, Armani’s father was arrested and he felt the burden of responsibility for the family. Therefore, after two years of medical studies, he enlisted in the army to earn money and help his mother. He ended up in a military hospital and quickly realized that his sensitivity was too high to practice as a doctor.
First steps in the world of fashion
In the late 1950s, Armani took his first steps in the fashion world, initially as a salesman in the Rinascente department store. At first, he sold women’s and men’s clothing, later specializing in men’s clothing. At this time in his life, she learns not only the secrets of fashion, but also sales and marketing, which she will later use in running her company.
Giorgio Armani and his biography and the history of the company itself are shorter than those of another famous fashion house Louis Vuitton, but there is no shortage of twists and turns and the artist’s uncertainty about his talent. Fortunately, Armani had people around him who strongly believed in him and supported him. And already in the 60s his dream began to come true. He started cooperation with the famous Italian stylist Nino Cerrutti. In fact, it Cerrutti saw great fashion sense in Armani. Their collaboration lasted a decade. However, Armani did not limit himself to working only for Cerrutti, he also did projects as a freelancer, and for as many as ten producers!
Love and business – joint projects with Sergio Galeotti
Having worked in the fashion business for several years, Armani met a kindred spirit on his path, the architect and illustrator Sergio Galeotti.. He was the co-founder of the corporation called Armani and it was he who was the helmsman who pushed the uncertain designer to create his own brand.
The first step towards independence was the design office at Corso Venezia 37, where Armani worked as a freelancer, establishing cooperation with many new fashion houses and manufacturers. He did very well, he simply felt fashion and In 1975, together with Sergio Galeotti, they registered the Giorgio Armani company in Milan. In the same year, he presented the first men’s collection under his name.
Of course, starting a fashion house requires capital. To that end, Sergio Galeotti persuaded Armani to sell his Volkswagen Beetle. The funds were to cover the costs of renting space for the business and the initial costs associated with hiring employees. Sergio Galeotti handled the administrative and financial aspects of the company, and Armani could fully focus on design.
“I believed in getting rid of artifice”
These are Armani’s words that guided him while creating both men’s and women’s clothing collections. Armani revolutionized men’s and women’s fashion. He gave clothes natural shapes and suggested neutral, muted colors. He was the one who threw out the shoulder pads from the jackets and took away their stiffness. And the trousers lost their creases. A slightly more casual style, it was not without elegance. On the contrary, the male look has become more attractive, fresh, innovative, emphasizing the naturalness of the body.
Georgio Armani and his biography is breaking patterns and always being one step ahead of others. The designer started the fashion for an unbuttoned shirt and a T-shirt under a jacket.
The big screen helped
Armani’s career developed at a rapid pace. The designer was not afraid to ‘flirt’ with film and the biggest stars of Hollywood. It was the big screen that made his name famous and made Armani one of the most recognizable clothing brands. In “American Gigolo” Richard Gere made a worldwide advertisement for the Armani brand. Gere himself also became famous after this production, and thanks to the scattered shirts with the Armani label, the Italian designer became famous.
Armani suits and creations were and are used by Hollywood stars at major events, such as the Oscars. They are considered to be always a good choice.
Armani – the brand that has everything?
Over the years, Armani has worked very hard for his success and image. He is described as a perfectionist and a very hard-working person.. Over the years, the company has expanded its offering. Armani has launched its perfumes, accessories, sportswear, jeans, handmade, limited-edition dresses and many other things. In addition, Armani owns two hotels. In 2022, the company had revenue of around $2.5 billion. Compared to 2021, this means an increase of over 16%. Armani employs around 9 thousand people and is the head of such a large corporation. The brand is undoubtedly synonymous luxury clothes for big events, galas and parties.
In 2016, Armani decided who would manage the company after his death. The legacy will be taken over by his sister, her two daughters and her son, long-time collaborator Pantaleo Dell’Orco and the foundation (founded by Armani). In his will, he stipulated that there could be no merger or takeover by another entity for five years after his death.