Milan bids farewell to Giorgio Armani with an emotional anniversary show, the last collection of the master who redefined timeless elegance.
Milan witnessed a historic evening with the moving farewell to Giorgio Armani. Just 24 days after his passing, the city celebrated the 50th anniversary of his fashion house with a show that will be remembered as the final collection created by the legendary designer. The event was staged at the Pinacoteca di Brera, where the courtyard was illuminated with candlelight, creating a solemn and poetic setting.
The collection captured Armani’s purest essence: light silhouettes in silk, linen and cotton, pyjama suits for men and ethereal tunics for women, with a colour palette inspired by Pantelleria, his Mediterranean refuge. For eveningwear, he presented velvet and pleated silk suits in deep shades such as sapphire blue and rich purple, while Ludovico Einaudi performed Divenire live on piano.
The show gathered 700 guests, including Cate Blanchett, Glenn Close, Spike Lee, Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton, who all rose for a standing ovation. Designers such as Paul Smith, Dries Van Noten and Dean and Dan Caten were also present, highlighting Armani’s immense legacy and his remarkable independence. Symbolically, each guest received a white T-shirt printed with Armani’s image, a keepsake of the evening.
Following the show, the exhibition “Giorgio Armani, Milano, Per Amore” was inaugurated, featuring 129 iconic pieces by the designer displayed alongside Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Botticelli and Titian. It marks the first major retrospective dedicated to an Italian designer in Milan, a milestone that honours Armani’s enduring influence.
This tribute confirms Giorgio Armani as the most influential designer of the past fifty years, a master who left fashion an indelible legacy. The exhibition runs until 11 January 2026 and is a must-see for lovers of haute couture and art history.
