From the exhibition of his first collection for his eponymous label at the Palazzo Della Permanente art gallery in Milan to his upcoming SS25 show at The Big Apple, Mr. Armani’s impact on the fashion industry is unparalleled. To celebrate the iconic fashion brand’s 90th birthday, HIGHXTAR selected our favourite moments from his long career in the industry.

Della Scala’s debut

Della Scala’s debut in Giorgio Armani’s first collection in 1975 marked a significant milestone. With his minimalist and elegant approach, Armani introduced refined silhouettes and soft tailoring, laying the foundations of his lasting legacy and revolutionising the perception of suiting. By abandoning shoulder pads and the stiffness of traditional tailoring, Armani blazed a new trail in men’s fashion.

Giorgio Armani ‘Gigolo’

Richard Gere’s appearance wearing Giorgio Armani in the 1980 film “American Gigolo” not only catapulted Gere to fame, but also cemented Armani as Hollywood’s designer of choice. The actor played Julian Kaye, a narcissistic male escort caught up in an intriguing murder case, where Armani displayed his genius in dressing the protagonist in unconventional outfits.

Grace Jones and Nightclubbing

Grace Jones released the iconic Nightclubbing album on which she appeared on the cover wearing a tailored jacket, a masterpiece by Giorgio Armani. This architectural piece, along with her straight hairstyle and an unlit cigar dangling from her red-painted mouth, marked a before and after in fashion. In fact, the impact was such that Giorgio Armani reissued the jacket three decades later for his Resort 2012 collection.

Julia Roberts dressed by Giorgio

The iconic image of Julia Roberts collecting her Oscar at the 1990 Golden Globes in an elegant oversized Giorgio Armani suit with a floral tie and boots became a style symbol, blurring the boundaries between men’s and women’s fashion. This moment cemented Armani as the favourite designer of Hollywood stars.

The Armani Awards

Before the red carpet became what we know today, the Academy Awards were colloquially nicknamed the “Armani Awards”. Not because Armani was the sponsor, but because his designs became the uniform of choice for celebrities on the red carpet. This nickname was popularised by WWD and the designer dressed the film stars more than 500 times for the Oscars.

The Big Screen and Giorgio

American Gigolo was not the designer’s only foray onto the big screen. Armani’s stylish suits have appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Gattaca (1997), The Untouchables (1987), Ocean’s Thirteen (2007), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). Armani’s distinctive touch has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on cinematic fashion.

The Style Promenade

Hollywood paid tribute to him and named the Rodeo Drive Style Walk after him, a walk parallel to the Beverly Hills Walk of Stars for his extraordinary contribution to the intersection of fashion and entertainment. The designer received the award just in time for the Oscars.

2006 Olympic Games

At the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy, Giorgio visited the Italian flag bearers in a striking uniform: electric silver jackets paired with navy blue skinny trousers. In addition, Armani had the honour of being one of the torchbearers, dazzling everyone as he proudly carried the torch through Milan.

Beckham as Armani boy

In 2007, Armani signed David Beckham as the face of its underwear collection. This move not only marked a milestone in fashion marketing, but also boosted sales by 150% during the three-year contract. The most epic campaign of this collaboration was unleashed after England’s 2009 World Cup qualifier against Andorra. At Selfridges, an expectant crowd surrounded a billboard, eager for the reveal of Beckham’s photos.

Armani SS25

For the SS25 season, Armani has decided to take an unexpected turn: instead of Milan, the brand will hold its fashion show in New York. The reason for this change of venue is none other than the inauguration of its spectacular new complex on Madison Avenue. This display reflects Armani’s deep commitment to the Big Apple and underlines the significant impact the city has on the brand.

Hanni from NewJeans has just been appointed as Armani Beauty’s new ambassador.