MILAN (AP) — Thousands of admirers paid their last respects over the weekend to Giorgio Armani, remembered by Milan’s mayor as a “man of extraordinary elegance” who left an indelible mark on the city and the global fashion world.
Armani died Thursday at 91 at his home in Italy’s fashion capital surrounded by loved ones, having worked until his final days, according to his fashion house. One of his final projects was a runway show marking 50 years of his signature Giorgio Armani brand, which is due to close Milan Fashion Week later this month.
More than 15,000 mourners filed over two days through the Armani theater normally dedicated to previewing runway collections. They included top names in fashion, politics, film and sports — worlds with which Armani was closely entwined.
Donatella Versace left a bouquet of white flowers on Saturday, and her brother Santo Versace was in tears Sunday.
Inside the theater, where Armani took countless bows, his casket was positioned amid rows of candle-lit paper lanterns that cast a shimmering light. Piano music by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi played softly in the background and the scent of incense filled the air.
The closed coffin was adorned with a bouquet of long-stem white roses, and flanked by carabinieri honor guards in ceremonial dress. An alabaster sculpture of the crucifix dear to Armani was placed next to the casket.
Other designers who paid their respects included Dean and Dan Caten, the Canadian twin designers behind the Dsquared2 label; Ferrari creative Rocco Iannone; British designer Neil Barrett and Italian designer Andrea Incontri.
The world of sport was represented by Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Federica Pellegrini, retired AC Milan star Paolo Maldini and the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò.
Two former premiers, Mario Monti and Matteo Renzi, paid their respects on Sunday.
Italian film directors Giuseppe Tornatore and Gabriele Salvatores, the composer Einaudi and Italian fashion chamber president Carlo Capasa with his brother, Costume National designer Ennio Capasa also bade Armani farewell.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala was among the first to arrive, offering condolences to Leo Dell’Orco, Armani’s longtime collaborator and the head of menswear, who stood near the coffin.
“A man of extraordinary elegance,’’ Sala told reporters outside. “Milan is full of signs of Armani. It will be impossible to forget him.”
Sala remembered a phone call from Armani in early August, when news of a corruption scandal in the city broke.
“He said, ‘I understand this is a difficult moment. There is always something positive in difficult moments. True friends show themselves. I am your true friend.’ This I will always remember,’’ Sala said.
Many mourners brought flowers to leave in remembrance, or wore pieces of Armani plucked from their wardrobes. Annamaria Longo Dorni traveled more than two hours from Lago Maggiore, north of Milan, to pay her last respects wearing an Armani midnight blue jacket.
“You put it on, and you’re perfect,’’ she said in tribute. “It’s always up to date, even after 20 years.’’
The outpouring by many ordinary Milanese reflected Armani’s close ties to his adopted city.
“Armani is Milan. He was a beautiful person inside who always gave a lot to Milan, in every moment. It is correct to be here to pay homage,’’ said Silvana Proglio. “He was a great person with a capital G.”
Milan’s Armani landmarks include his Armani/Teatro show space and the Armani/Silos museum in the heart of the city’s design district, as well as his residence and historic offices in the city center, and his flagship stores and hotel.
He was also a major supporter of cultural institutions, like Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, and owned the Olympia Milan basketball team.
A prominent permanent Emporio Armani billboard greets passengers arriving at Milan’s Linate Airport, and Armani has long occupied a permanent billboard in the city’s Brera district, emblematic of his mastery of visual communication and brand presence.
Armani missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for the first time during the previews of Spring-Summer 2026 menswear to recover from an undisclosed condition.
Condolences have poured in from friends and admirers around the world, including Ralph Lauren, Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Armani left a final message for mourners, projected in the theater next to a photo of the designer smiling and waving: “The mark I hope to leave is one of commitment, respect and genuine care for people and for reality. That’s where everything truly begins.”
Following the public mourning, Armani will be buried Monday in a private ceremony in his hometown of Piacenza province, southeast of Milan.
