Timeless Elegance Served Brainy: The Warren Buffet of Fashion
Farewell to you, Mr. Armani!
Fashion’s King of Words, of flawless design and impeccable structure, you gave us timeless elegance, not fleeting trends. We thank you for the beauty you brought to the world and the discipline that made it possible—for demonstrating that humility, privacy, and dedication to humanitarian issues were always in vogue.
With deep appreciation for your worldwide presence and the peaceful, tranquil invitations your stores have always emanated globally.
Rest in Peace, King Giorgio.
News of Mr. Armani’s death on September 4th, 2025, just several months after his 91st birthday, came as a shock. A timeless man and his icon—effortless, sublime elegance—forever vanished.
I secretly referred to Giorgio Armani as the Warren Buffett of fashion. Why? Because each was legendary in their respective discipline, true to their genuinely authentic and fearlessly independent selves.
Being a woman of the word, I was a silent admirer and observer of Mr. Armani, the man in the mirror. Mr. Armani met me in different capacities wherever I went—Italy (Milano, Roma, Firenze), Singapore, Germany (Frankfurt, München, Düsseldorf), India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore) and the USA (Chicago, New York, and Maui) alike. Always warm, familiar, and welcoming, with beautiful stores to admire, new designs to view, and producing clothing for long-term wear with sustainability in mind.
While his legacy will remain, I trembled hearing about his death because fashion’s King of Words, who provided so many memorable lines, would never utter another.
On Women and Aging:
“I prefer to look at a natural woman. A woman should be courageous to become older, not desperate to look younger than her age.” — Giorgio Armani
Here is what we can learn from Mr. Armani, the Sir of Fashion and Wise Words; the silent Builder of an Empire that transcended fashion, to Home Décor and Luxury Hotel Living.
Discover the Five Armani Principles that can change your life and impact your lifestyle, encapsulated in the DOGMA abbreviation:
On Women
“The Armani woman is confident, elegant, and not afraid to be herself.”
— Giorgio Armani
D – Dare to Change: The Power of Passion
Initially a medical student at the University of Milano, following military service Armani abandoned his original plan and followed his passion: fashion. He taught us the value of a pivot when driven by a genuine calling. Yet studying medicine was not in vain, as his knowledge about the body’s anatomy and mobility were underpinnings of his flowing, comfortable, and functional design style that made him legendary.
On Fashion
“When I realized fashion could be my thing, that I could make a name for myself in the industry, I put my head down and sacrificed a large part of my life. I have to say that I’d do it all again, exactly the same way.” — Giorgio Armani
O – The Armani Operating System: Structure
Structure Breeds Freedom
On Structure
“I fear chaos and unruliness… Structure allows me to move freely and productively, because I can monitor everything.” — Giorgio Armani
He learned the ropes by starting out at the bottom as a window dresser at La Rinascente (comparable to Takashimaya in Singapore and Bloomingdale’s in the United States). Later, he became a buyer at the high-end Italian department store, where he learned everything about fabric and built lifelong connections. He had no qualms about learning the inside out of all his business, including the truth about lifelong elegance versus short-lived fashion and fashionistas. Early on, he established that fashion was a tool for the self-aware elegant individual. His intention was not to enslave customers to fashion but rather to see them emancipated using fashion as a melody augmenting their personality and style.
G — Grit, Creativity and Discipline
The Armani 80/20 Rule
“Eighty per cent of what I do is discipline. The rest is creativity.” — Giorgio Armani
Armani’s success wasn’t solely built on creative genius; it was anchored in rigorous discipline. He demonstrated that consistency and hard work are the foundations upon which creativity can thrive.
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M – Monk-Like Focus: True to Self
On Relevance
"Relevance is a quality that others give to you. One cannot self-crown himself relevant.” —Giorgio Armani
Hollywood made Mr. Armani. It brought his brand to the world. Yet, Hollywood Glamour did not move his needle: his unique minimalistic—true to self—design style and timeless elegance remained intact; the Armani diamond that he honed over five decades remained unfazed by showiness and excess. He designed what he thought and felt best in line with his principles of understated elegance, not what he expected others wanted to see—Hollywood or not. In my eyes, his very act of not falling into the trap of pleasing others made him both relevant and the King of the Hill, rather than a servant of divergent tastes.
On Independence
"I don't have a formula to pass on. I always did it my own way. Even today, I hold my independence close. It's what's most precious to me" — Giorgio Armani
A – Amore: For the Love of the Game and Legacy
Armani knew well how to play. In 2008, he became the sole owner of the Olimpia Milano (also known as AX Armani or EA7 Emporio Armani Milan) basketball team. Basketball was his favorite sport, and he followed it with a passion.
Foresight and care dominated his ownership of the Olimpia Milano, which transitioned in 2016 to the Armani Foundation to guarantee long-term stability. His long-term financial investment, talent development, and retention led the “Little Red Shoes” (Scarpette Rosse) to win six Italian League titles, four Italian Cups, five Italian Super Cups, and a Final Four participation in the 2021 EuroLeague.
This was Giorgio Armani—the Warren Buffett of Fashion—true to form and consistent in his decisions and investments; enjoying friends and family; an extroverted introvert who protected his privacy yet remained approachable. Unapologetic in his vision, he cultivated his style to share his unique aesthetic with the world.
On Success, Defects and Insecurities
"The more successful I become, the more I want to remain like me, with my defects and insecurities" — Giorgio Armani
A Knight Grand Cross: Honoring Giorgio Armani’s Legacy
In a testament to his extraordinary impact on the world of design and global luxury, Mr. Armani received Italy’s highest civilian honor in 2021: the prestigious Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (OMRI). Acknowledging him as a true icon of Italian excellence, it recognized Mr. Armani’s unparalleled career spanning six decades, celebrating his profound influence on fashion, his singular vision of style, and his extraordinary achievement in building a globally recognized luxury brand.
He also was awarded the following honors: Commander of the Republic (Italy) in 1985, Grand Officer (Italy) in 1986 and Officer of the Legion of Honor (France) in 2008.
The Empire, The Regret, and The Rules
On Personal Style
“Personal style comes from within. It’s not something that can be bought.” — Giorgio Armani
Armani’s rise to power seemed effortless and elegant. What people forget is the persistence, discipline, consistent presence, perseverance, and following of a unique path—the road less travelled, with no side tracking and a love for the game.
On Regrets
While Fellini is famous for saying, “Regrets are a waste of time. They’re the past crippling you in the present,” Mr. Armani was deeply dedicated to his work and involved in the creative process from conception to delivery. He did not regret his devotion to work—better said, the creative process from conception to implementation—but noted that spending time with loved ones and friends, both important to him, likely took the backseat too often. True that. Even focusing on what we love—creation of a fashion empire—we often forget that other timelines move forward “unattended” at the same time while we prioritize other important aspects of our lives.
On Style and Identity
He proclaims:
Armani's Three Simple Rules On Style
"There are Three very Simple Rules. The first one is to know yourself well enough and therefore not disguise yourself; the second is to know what to wear and when; the third is to never let the clothes ‘wear’ you, you’re the one who’s wearing them." — Giorgio Armani
On Identity Formation and Maintenance
”What has stayed the same is my desire to express myself. Because in this rapidly changing world, you can be influenced, dragged in one direction or another, and lose your own identity.” — Giorgio Armani
Implement The Armani DOGMA in Your Life Today
Mr. Armani has left us a powerful blueprint for a life of authenticity, persistence, and understated elegance. His principles aren’t just for the runway; they are tools for personal excellence.
How will you apply the Armani DOGMA to your life right now?
- Dare to embrace a change that aligns with your true passion.
- Implement the Operating System of structure and discipline to free your creativity.
- Cultivate the Grit required to pursue timeless style over fleeting trends.
- Embrace the Monk-like focus of staying relentlessly true to your authentic self.
- Nurture the Amore—the love of your “game”—that makes every endeavor worthwhile.
Start today. Live your legacy with the same elegance and intention as the man in the mirror.
Farewell to you, Mr. Armani!
Fashion’s King of Words, of flawless design and impeccable structure, you gave us timeless elegance, not fleeting trends. We thank you for the beauty you brought to the world and the discipline that made it possible—for demonstrating that humility, privacy, and dedication to humanitarian issues were always in vogue.
With deep appreciation for your worldwide presence and the peaceful, tranquil invitations your stores have always emanated globally.
Rest in Peace, King Giorgio.
Recommended Reading: Twelve Top Armani Articles to Read
For those who wish to delve deeper into the life and impact of Mr. Armani, the iconic designer, explore these excellent resources:
- The Conversation (2025): Farewell to the Visionary Designer who Defined Modern Elegance by Pedro Mir
- Perfect (2025): Giorgio Armani’s Final Interview — In Conversation with Alex Bilmes for Perfect Issue 9.
- Olimpia Milano (2025): The History.
- Eletey Group (2025): Giorgio Armani: The Man who Changed the Language of Elegance by Anton Masko
- Corriere della Sera (2024): Giorgio Armani: “La scoperta dell’amore, il dolore per Sergio, la mancanza dei figli: racconto ciò di cui non ho mai parlato,” di Aldo Cazzullo e Paola Pollo.
- Harper’s Bazaar (2023): Giorgio Armani’s Autobiography Is a Quiet Luxury Manifesto by Alison S Cohen
- British Vogue (2021): Giorgio Armani’s Best Quotes on life, Taste and Style by Naomi Pike
- DDW — Don’t Die Wondering (2021): Five Life Lessons to Learn from Giorgio Armani by Imogan Brunett
- WWD — Women’s Wear Daily (2021): Giorgio Armani Decorated with Highest Italian Recognition by Martino Carrera
- GQ Magazine UK (2019): Giorgio Armani’s 17 Commandments for Stylish Living by Teo Van Den Broeke
- The Week (2017): Giorgio Armani: Master of Elegance by Ian Thorley
- System’s Magazine (2015): Giorgio Armani’s Staying Power by Giampiedro Baudo with Photographs by Juergen Teller
