On September 4, 2025, the fashion world lost one of its pillars: Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91. A tribute must be paid not only to his creations (clothing, fragrance, aesthetics) but also to his influence on representation, beauty, and his ability to transcend cultural boundaries.

An exemplary career

Giorgio Armani was born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, in post-war Italy. After modest beginnings, he founded his own fashion house, Giorgio Armani, in 1975.

What made him so iconic :

• his quiet luxury style: sobriety, finesse, understated elegance, refusal of superfluous ostentation ;
• the deconstruction of the men's suit:  less rigid jackets, softened shoulder pads, a fluid, more natural approach, for both men and women ;
• his influence in cinema, on red carpets, and on popular culture : he dressed stars, designed for films, and imposed a certain sartorial grace that has become a standard.

Armani, Black Beauty, and Diversity

If there is any richness in Giorgio Armani's legacy, it is his ability, sometimes discreet but real, to embrace diversity and recognize the beauty of all races and identities.

Here are some ways in which this has manifested itself:

More inclusive makeup shades

The Armani Beauty line has expanded its shades, for foundations, concealers, and more, to suit a variety of skin tones. For example, the Power Fabric foundation, a long-lasting, full-coverage formula, is available in a sufficiently wide range of shades to better adapt to darker skin tones, allowing Black women to find more natural-looking matches.

Presence of black beauty models in runway shows/campaigns

Over time, the casting of Armani shows has included Black models, bringing visibility and diversity. This is evident in the major Armani Privé runway shows and in modern Emporio Armani campaigns. Although not always highlighted as a "commitment," the repetition of this inclusion reinforces a representation that was lacking in the past.

Aesthetics that highlight all races

At Armani, the play of light, fabrics, and neutral or dark colors have often been used to enhance dark skin tones. Black, velvet, iridescent silks, and luminous materials are all elements that, when worn well, offer a rich and elegant contrast, enhancing beauty of all kinds.

In its lipstick, eyeshadow palette, and tinted product lines, Armani Beauty has always sought to offer finishes (matte, satin, pearlescent) that work well on dark skin tones. Of course, like all great brands, there are possible criticisms about limitations, missing nuances, etc., but the effort is tangible.

The final act : the legacy and the void left

With his passing, Giorgio Armani leaves behind a house that continues its collections ; for example, the Emporio Armani “Returns” collection (SS 2026) was presented at Milan Fashion Week as his final work.

The exhibition “Giorgio Armani, Milano, for love” at the Brera Gallery in Milan (129 looks from his career) is a clear tribute to his work, opening a retrospective on what he contributed to fashion, but also to global visual culture.

Tributes are pouring in : celebrities, actors, journalists, the worlds of film and design. All salute not only the designer, but the man, his vision, his influence.

In conclusion,

Giorgio Armani was, without doubt, one of the last great figures of classic elegance, conveyed in a constantly accelerating world. He knew how to blend style and simplicity, craftsmanship and modernity, discretion and refinement.

In his way of representing beauty, of proposing a fashion that speaks to everyone, he contributed, even modestly, but consistently, to ensuring that Black beauty was not out of the spotlight.

His legacy is immense. The void is as great as what he built. But what his creations teach us—about grace, restraint, and confidence—will continue to inspire.

Thank you ! ❤️

Picture : © Giorgio Armani - Paris 2025