For decades, the red carpet of the Venice Film Festival served as one of Giorgio Armani’s most iconic stages. Hollywood stars proudly showcased the Italian designer’s refined creations, setting global standards for elegance. With Armani’s passing on Thursday at the age of 91, the festival closes a chapter filled with his enduring love of cinema and the industry’s deep admiration for his talent.
Festival organizers described Armani as “a genius of Italian fashion and style,” emphasizing his lifelong passion for cinema that began in childhood. Armani Beauty has been the festival’s main sponsor for the past eight years, solidifying the connection between his fashion house and world cinema.
Armani’s journey with film began in 1980 with American Gigolo. Richard Gere’s relaxed linen wardrobe became a cultural phenomenon, propelling both actor and designer to stardom. His designs later appeared in classics such as Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables (1987), Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990), and Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), worn by Leonardo DiCaprio. From Don Johnson’s pastel blazers in Miami Vice to power suits on Wall Street, Armani’s creations became cinematic icons.
Armani’s long friendship with Martin Scorsese gave birth to Made in Milan, a short film capturing the designer’s preparation for a fashion show. Writing for Vanity Fair in 2015, Scorsese praised Armani’s “timeless elegance” and noted his work was “removed from fleeting fashion and triviality.”
Just three days before Armani’s death, the Armani Group hosted a star-studded party in Venice to celebrate its 50th anniversary and unveil its digital archive Armani/Archivio. At the festival’s opening ceremony, longtime muse Cate Blanchett dazzled in a daring black Armani Privé gown, later remarking that Armani “left an irreplaceable void—not only in fashion, art, cinema, theater, and design, but in the hearts of millions touched by his work.”
Armani will be remembered as more than a fashion icon: he was a visionary who fused the worlds of style, cinema, and culture, leaving behind a legacy that transcends generations.
