The Italian fashion designer and billionaire brand owner Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91.
He was the archetype of Italian style and elegance, reimagining men's and women's suits for a modern audience.
His company Armani expanded from fashion into an empire spanning beauty, fragrance, music, sport and even luxury hotels, bringing in more than £2bn a year.
Donatella Versace paid tribute to the late designer on her Instagram page, posting a picture of him, saying: The world lost a giant today, he made history and will be remembered forever.
In a statement on the brand's Instagram page, it said Armani worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing future projects.
Armani was seen as a pioneer in many ways, elevating red carpet fashion to what we see today. He was also the first designer to ban underweight models from the runway, after the death of model Ana Carolina Reston in 2006 from anorexia nervosa.
Russell Crowe described Armani as a man who made a mark acknowledged around the globe. Julia Roberts shared a picture of herself in an Armani dress alongside the designer on Instagram with the words A true friend. A legend and a heartbreak emoji.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed that Armani brought lustre to Italian fashion and inspired the entire world, calling him an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy.
Armani was a beloved figure in Hollywood, dressing stars for red carpet events, and continued to impact fashion up until the end of his life.
