Giorgio Armani dies at 91, leaving a lasting fashion legacy

Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who built a global fashion empire, died Thursday at his home in central Milan at age 91, his company said. The Armani Group said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and that he remained active in his work until his final days. Milan staged a two day public viewing of his coffin at the ArmaniTeatro over the weekend as thousands of mourners, from ordinary admirers to fashion industry figures, filed past in tribute.

Company officials and family members described Armani as the creator, founder and tireless driving force behind the brand he launched in 1975. A statement from the fashion house said employees have "always felt like part of a family" and pledged to protect and carry forward his legacy. The company confirmed that one of Armani's final projects was a runway show marking 50 years of his label, scheduled to close Milan Fashion Week later this month.

Mourners entered the Tadao Ando designed ArmaniTeatro beneath rows of paper candles and a recording of piano music by Ludovico Einaudi. The closed wooden casket was topped with white roses and flanked by carabinieri honor guards. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who described...