Fashion pioneer Giorgio Armani, at the age of 90, will not attend Milan Fashion Week for the first time in his remarkable career. His company announced that he is currently recuperating at home following a short hospital stay in Milan, as reported by Italian media outlets. Despite his absence, the designer had been actively engaged with his collections leading up to the event, and plans to follow the menswear shows remotely on Saturday and Monday.
This marks a historic first for Armani, whose career has spanned over five decades. He hinted at potential retirement during a discussion last year. The upcoming shows are set to debut the Spring-Summer 2026 collections under his esteemed luxury brand. Gianluca Dell'Orco, Armani's long-time collaborator and the head of menswear design, will take center stage, giving the traditional closing bows in Armani’s stead.
Armani is reportedly in good spirits and has plans to be present at his brand’s future shows in Paris by the end of June. With the 50th anniversary of his iconic brand approaching next month, it’s a poignant time as Armani also prepares to celebrate his 91st birthday.
Born in 1934 in Piacenza, Italy, Armani initially pursued a medical education before shifting to fashion, where he later launched his label with the late Sergio Galeotti in 1975. Over the years, he has established a formidable empire within the luxury fashion sector, expanding his brand into haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, beauty, and even luxury hotels across major global cities like Milan, Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Shanghai.
