Thousands of devoted fans and celebrities gathered on Saturday to pay their final respects to Giorgio Armani, hailed by Milan's mayor as a "man of extraordinary elegance" who made an unforgettable impact on the city and international fashion industry.
Armani passed away on Thursday aged 91 at his residence in Italy's fashion capital, surrounded by family and friends.
His fashion empire confirmed he continued working until his final days.
Among his last endeavours was a catwalk presentation celebrating five decades of his iconic Giorgio Armani label, scheduled to conclude Milan Fashion Week later this month.
Donatella Versace offered her condolences at the theatre where Armani routinely presented his ready-to-wear collections, placing a bouquet of white blooms.
Notable attendees included Italian filmmakers Giuseppe Tornatore and Gabriele Salvatores, Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malagò, and Italian fashion chamber chief Carlo Capasa alongside his sibling, Costume National designer Ennio Capasa.
The aroma of incense permeated the theatre where Armani's coffin rested amongst rows of illuminated paper lanterns creating a glimmering atmosphere whilst piano compositions by Italian maestro Ludovico Einaudi played gently in the background.
The sealed casket was decorated with a spray of long-stemmed white roses and guarded by carabinieri honour guards in ceremonial uniform.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala arrived amongst the earliest mourners, extending sympathies to Leo Dell'Orco, Armani's long-standing partner and menswear director, who remained beside 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 recalled 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 travelled 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 public viewing will continue through Sunday. Armani will be buried following a private funeral, details of which have not been released.
By the end of the day, some 6,000 mourners had paid their respects. 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 is home to several Armani landmarks, including his Armani/Teatro show space and the Armani/Silos museum - an exhibition hub in the city's design district - as well as his residence, historic offices in the city centre, and his flagship stores and hotel. He was also a significant patron of cultural institutions, such as Milan's Teatro alla Scala, and owned the Olympia Milan basketball team. A prominent permanent Emporio Armani billboard welcomes passengers at Milan's Linate Airport, and the brand has long held a permanent billboard in the city's Brera district, symbolic of Armani's innovative approach to communications. Armani, one of the most recognisable names and faces in the global fashion industry, missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for the first time during the previews of Spring-Summer 2026 menswear due to recovery from an undisclosed condition. Tributes have flooded in from friends and admirers around the globe, including Ralph Lauren, Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour and Leonardo DiCaprio. Armani left a final message for mourners, projected in the theatre 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. ".
