Rome (EFE).- Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday at the chapel of rest in Milan to bid farewell to Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer revered worldwide as the “king of fashion” for his creativity, elegance, and sharp business instinct.
The chapel, which will remain open through Sunday, was set up inside the Armani Theater on Bergognone Street, the space Armani commissioned from Japanese architect Tadao Ando and inaugurated in 2015 as a hub for fashion, exhibitions, and cultural events.
In the same hall where Armani once unveiled his Milan Fashion Week collections, his coffin was placed in near darkness, adorned with white flowers, lanterns, and an alabaster plaque with a crucifix.
An honor guard of Carabinieri stood watch, while a large screen displayed a smiling portrait of Armani alongside his chosen epitaph: “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.”
At his side were Leo Dell’Orco, his life companion of 20 years, close friend Federico Marchetti, founder of Yoox, and Armani’s nephews, including longtime collaborator Andrea Camerana.
Architect Stefano Boeri, who queued with ordinary mourners rather than use the reserved entrance, said, “It is the most correct way to be here.”
Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, praised Armani’s impact beyond fashion. “He gave us an unmistakable style in the world of sports. For us, Giorgio Armani will be unforgettable. He made Italy great and helped make sports great.”
Armani owned the basketball club Olimpia Milano and designed Italy’s Olympic uniforms.
Among the first to arrive were John Elkann, president of Ferrari and Stellantis, with his wife Lavinia Borromeo, followed by Milan’s mayor, Beppe Sala.
“Milan is full of Armani; it will be impossible to forget him,” Sala said. “He embodied Milan’s conviction that work is a means of personal and professional fulfillment. He was a great Milanese who did so much for this city.”
To mark Armani’s private funeral on Monday, Sep. 8, Milan has declared a day of mourning. City flags will fly at half-mast in tribute.
Attention now turns to Armani’s will. With no children, his €2.3 billion-a-year fashion empire will be placed under the Giorgio Armani Foundation, created in 2016 to safeguard the group’s stability.
His €13 billion personal estate will be divided among his sister Rosanna, nieces Silvana and Roberta, nephew Andrea Camerana, and his lifelong confidant Pantaleo Dell’Orco, whom Armani regarded as family. EFE
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