Giorgio Armani, whose name is synonymous with style, especially Italian style, and who commissioned a few superyachts over the years, has died. He was 91 years old.
Born on July 11, 1934 in Piacenza, Italy, Armani was one of three children. Although he attended medical school and went into the army, fashion had long been on his mind. In fact, he largely credited his mother, Maria Raimondi (above), with spurring his interest in it. “She always ensured that my brother, sister, and myself were immaculately dressed,” Armani shared in an interview in 2006. After taking a job as a merchandiser in the Milan department store Rinascente, he became a designer for the acclaimed Nino Cerruti. July of 1975 was the big turning point, however. He and business partner Sergio introduced their own ready-to-wear men’s and women’s clothing line, under the Armani label.
Further expanding his design prowess into home furnishings in the 1980s with Armani Casa, Giorgio Armani remained active in his namesake company well into his 80s. He remained active in his private life, too, well into his later years. Among other things, he enjoyed the superyacht lifestyle. In fact, in 2003, he took delivery of Mariu, a 164-foot (49.9-meter) Codecasa. With accommodations for 12, the yacht featured interiors by Armani Casa, which Armani himself selected. He returned to Codecasa for a larger megayacht not long after. Main, a 213-footer (65-meter), launched in 2008. Her dark-green paint, from mast to waterline, was so dark that it appeared black to many onlookers. Notably, in each case, Armani’s mother was a significant inspiration. “Mariu” is a play on her first name, while “Main” translates to “Mom” in the old Piacentino dialect of Piacenza.
Armani wasn’t done with yachting yet. In 2021, The Italian Sea Group and Armani himself announced they were collaborating on a 236-footer (72-meter), for completion in 2024. Styling was coming from Armani himself, while interiors were by Armani with Armani Casa. Much like his famous fashions, the styling reflected a clean simplicity of angles and curves. For the interiors, the emphasis was on understated luxury, with subdued tones.
At a gala in 2023 to unveil details about the collaboration, Giovanni Costantino, founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said, “Giorgio Armani is synonymous with timeless elegance and sophistication, and his stylistic vision has also increased our stylistic sensitivity.” Armani told the guests that the sea was one of his greatest passions, alongside design. “This highly stimulating project has allowed me to create customized spaces with Armani Casa—like made-to-measure clothing—with the same craftsmanship applied to the choice of materials, details, and production,” he shared.
The collaboration turned into two same-size projects, with the first Admiral Armanii yacht launching this past May (above). All of the craftspeople who have played a role in her creation were on hand. So, too, were shipyard executives, representatives from Armani’s yachting team and the Armani Group, as well as local dignitaries. The champagne tone to the paint job, combined with the angles and curves, played with sunlight as intended. At the time, the shipyard announced that the yacht would appear at this month’s Monaco Yacht Show.
Armani received numerous awards for his contributions to fashion, as well as to promoting the ideas of “Made in Italy” and Italian excellence. He never married and didn’t have children. Several family members survive him.