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Giorgio Armani S.p.A. (), commonly known as Armani, is an Italian Luxury goods fashion house founded in Milan by Giorgio Armani which designs, manufactures, distributes and retails haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, , accessories, and Interior design. Among others, Armani licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear and L'Oréal for fragrances and cosmetics. As of 2017, t is considered Italy's second-largest fashion group behindPrada.
In addition to the couture line Armani Privé, Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani are the company's ready-to-wear lines that show at Milan Fashion Week. Selling at lower prices are Armani Collezioni, Armani Exchange and Armani Jeans.
In 1978, Armani signed a license with Gruppo Finanziario Tessile (GFT). In 1991, Armani entered into a manufacturing and distribution license with Simint, when the company launched A|X Armani Exchange. By 1993, the Armani name was represented by 23 licensees and two large joint ventures in Japan.
By the 1990s, the company's strategy was to cancel licenses and take production in-house in a bid to exert more control over quality and distribution. Manufacturing arrangements later brought back in-house include the acquisition of Antinea (1990), Simint (1996) and Intai (1998). In 2000, after buying factories from GFT, Armani formed a joint venture with Zegna for the production and distribution of the Collezioni men's collection. Armani also increased to 85 percent of its share in the joint venture in Japan with Itochu.
In 2001, Armani commissioned architect Tadao Ando to transform an old Nestlé chocolate factory in Milan's Savona/Tortona area into the company's headquarters.
Also in the early 2000s, Armani opened five megastores designed by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, starting with the opening of the Armani/Manzoni store in Milan in 2000, which carries all of the company's brands. Other such venues are in Hong Kong (Armani/Chater House, opened in 2002), Munich (Armani/Fünf Höfe, opened in 2003), Tokyo (Armani/Ginza Tower, opened in 2007) and New York City (Armani/Fifth Avenue, opened in 2009).
In 2002, Armani announced a new joint venture with the shoe manufacturer I Guardi, as part of a strategy of bringing manufacturing under its control.Suzy Menkes (9 April 2002), Giorgio Armani:'I did it my way' International Herald Tribune. Beginning in 2007, the company teamed up with Samsung to develop a line of high-end electronic goods.Stacy Meichtry (September 24, 2007), Armani Links With Samsung For Electronics Line Wall Street Journal.
In 2007, Giorgio Armani confirmed to Reuters that he had been approached by Beiersdorf in 2005 about a potential merger but had since been too distracted by other projects to pursue that option. In 2016, he confirmed he had established the Giorgio Armani Foundation which, while aiming to fund social projects, is also to "safeguard the governance assets of the Armani Group and ensure that these assets are kept stable over time." As part of his succession plan, the foundation will own an undisclosed stake in the company, with the rest going to his family. By 2017, the company was seen as a prime candidate for a stock market listing.Giulia Segreti (January 14, 2017), Giorgio Armani 2016 net revenues down 5 percent, 2017 still 'complicated' Reuters. In 2021, Giorgio Armani ruled out merging with either LVMH or KeringValentina Za (April 7, 2021), Giorgio Armani could consider an Italian partner - magazine Reuters. and reportedly also ruled out an offer by Stellantis to acquire a minority stake.Pamela Barbaglia, Gwénaëlle Barzic, Silvia Aloisi and Sarah White (July 16, 2021), EXCLUSIVE: Agnelli heir held Armani tie-up talks to build luxury empire - sources Reuters.
In February 2020, Armani was the first fashion brand to decide to close its runway shows to the public amid the beginning COVID-19 pandemic, holding the event without an audience. By March 2020, all of its Italian production plants started producing single-use medical overalls.
In 2021, luxury yacht maker The Italian Sea Group announced that Giorgio Armani SpA would invest in the company's IPO at the Italian Bourse.
Despite promising to suspend investments in Russia, Giorgio Armani continues to operate in the country amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the brand held a silent Milan Fashion Week show in February 2022 as a "sign of respect" for Ukraine, it has not reduced its activities or signaled plans to exit the Russian market. This ongoing presence has drawn criticism as international sanctions target Russia for its aggression and the killing of civilians in Ukraine. Giorgio Armani is among several European companies that remain operational in Russia, sparking questions about their ethical and corporate responsibilities during the conflict.
In April 2024, Giorgio Armani Operations was placed in judicial administration in Italy after an investigation alleging that the company employed illegal and undeclared Chinese labor workers.
On September 4, 2025, Giorgio died at the age of 91.
In September 2025, following the death of Giorgio Armani, details of his succession plan were made public. His will instructed the Giorgio Armani Foundation and heirs to sell an initial 15% stake in the company within 18 months to a "preferred" luxury group, including LVMH, L'Oréal, or EssilorLuxottica. The agreement also allows the buyer to acquire up to 54.9% of the business over the next three to five years. Should no sale take place, the company could pursue an initial public offering. The Foundation is required to retain at least 30% of Armani's shareholding to safeguard the brand's independence and legacy.
In a 2014 report, Greenpeace publicly criticized Armani and other luxury brands after having found traces of chemicals that can pollute waterways in children's clothing and shoes; in response, the company committed to abolishing all chemicals that could cause environmental damage to production sites by 2020. Also in 2014, Giorgio Armani SpA paid 270 million euros to Italian tax authorities to settle a dispute over payments from the group's subsidiaries abroad.
In 2015, Giorgio Armani Corp's former general counsel Fabio Silva filed a $75 million lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court against the company, accusing it of discriminating against him because of his Mexican origins and firing him for having cancer.
On July 17, 2024, the Italian competition authority, Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), announced the launch of an investigation into Armani and Dior. The probe aims to determine whether these companies potentially misled consumers regarding their labor practices and supply chain management. Prosecutors claim to have discovered workshops on the outskirts of Milan where mostly illegal immigrant workers sold products to Armani as well as Dior for a fraction of their retail price. By August 2025, AGCM fined Giorgio Armani group and one of its units 3.5 million euros ($4 million) for alleged unfair commercial practices in its bag and leather accessory production.Elisa Anzolin and Philippe Leroy (1 August 2025), Italy antitrust fines Giorgio Armani 3.5 million euros for unfair commercial practices Reuters.
Giorgio Armani worked with Albert Wolsky for Duplicity (2009), with Lindy Hemming on the costumes for the cast of both The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), with April Ferry for Elysium (2013) and with Sandy Powell for The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). Other costume design projects have included American Gigolo (1980), The Untouchables (1987), A Star for Two (1991), The Bodyguard (1992), Nirvana (1997), Hurlyburly (1998), Ocean's Thirteen (2007), Inglourious Basterds (2009), The String (2009), Hanna (2011), (2011), A Most Violent Year (2014)Manon Garrigues (11 August 2015), Inspiration: Giorgio Armani's Designs for Cinema Vogue France. and The Young Pope (2016).
For its campaigns, the brand has worked with photographers including Sølve Sundsbø (2015),Alessandra Turra (30 June 2015), Giorgio Armani Unveils New Normal Ads Campaign Women's Wear Daily. Peter Lindbergh (2017)Alessandra Turra (1 July 2016), Giorgio Armani Unveils New Normal Fall Ads Women's Wear Daily. and Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott (2019).Luisa Zargani (6 June 2019), Giorgio Armani Taps Kate Moss for Fall Ad Campaign Women's Wear Daily. In 2016, Giorgio Armani stopped using animal fur in all of its collections, citing the availability of "valid alternatives at our disposition that render the use of cruel practices unnecessary as regards animals."
Emporio Armani underwear campaigns have featured David Beckham (2008–2010), Victoria Beckham (2009), Cristiano Ronaldo (2010), Megan Fox (2010), Rihanna (2011), Rafael Nadal (2011) and Calvin Harris (2015). The brand's watch ad campaign has featured Shawn Mendes (2019), among others. For its campaigns, the brand has worked with photographers including Alasdair McLellan (2012)Luisa Zargani (6 June 2012), Emporio Armani Ad Campaign Unveiled Women's Wear Daily. and Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. In 2013, Emporio Armani provided costume design for the cast of The Counselor in partnership with 21st Century Fox
A|X Armani Exchange products are available in 270 stores across 31 countries and on the brand's website. The line was an early adopter of online communication and retailing, launching its armaniexchange.com site in 1995 and introducing online sales in 1997.
To support the development of the line, Giorgio Armani co-established the joint venture company Presidio Holdings Ltd in 2005 alongside Como Holdings, the company owned by the Singaporean businessman Ong Beng Seng, which had held the production and distribution licence for A|X Armani Exchange in the United States, Canada, Central America and South America and Asia-Pacific since 1994. By 2006, A|X Armani Exchange launched a sunglasses line under licence with Safilo.
Initially, Giorgio Armani held 25% of Presidio Holdings, with the remaining 75% held by Como Holdings. In 2008, Giorgio Armani acquired an additional 25% stake. In 2014, it acquired the remaining 50%, gaining full ownership of the brand, which then had 270 stores and over 3,000 employees, according to a company statement.
In 2008, A|X Armani Exchange redesigned its logo. As part of a relaunch and repositioning plan initiated in 2014, the collection was gradually introduced in Europe.
A|X Armani Exchange campaigns have included Cara Delevingne (2017), Martin Garrix (2017) and Li Yifeng (2017).
Armani Junior operates 167 independent stores worldwide, selling only the sub-label. Products from both lines are also available in other Armani stores, including Armani/Casa, Armani Jeans, and Emporio Armani. Overall, 308 independent and franchise Armani stores carry Armani Junior and Armani Baby products globally. The lines are additionally sold in selected department stores, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Breuninger, and Peek & Cloppenburg. In May 2014, actress Quvenzhané Wallis became the face of Armani Junior.
Armani/Casa works with Rubelli and the Molteni Group for fabrics and furniture production. The collection includes kitchens under the Armani/Dada sub-label in partnership with the Molteni Group, fabrics by Rubelli, and bathroom furniture and accessories through a collaboration with Roca under Armani/Roca. The collection is distributed through 183 independent Armani stores and other retailers worldwide.
Products from Armani/Casa are also used in Armani hotels, in private residences such as John Mayer's New York City apartment, and in film set designs, including the 2013 film Paranoia.
In 2017, as part of a corporate restructuring, Armani/Casa and Giorgio Armani Privé were incorporated into the main Giorgio Armani brand.
The brand produces chocolates, jams, honey, tea, shortbread biscuits, sugar, and pralines. Products are available in most Armani stores and in a dedicated boutique in Taichung, Taiwan. In total, 152 stores carry Armani/Dolci products.
Armani/Dolci has released limited collections for seasonal and special occasions. Examples include chocolate Easter eggs, heart-shaped boxes with chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day, and collections for Ramadan designed to comply with Islamic dietary rules. Special collections are also issued for Christmas and company anniversaries.
The flowers used for Armani/Fiori arrangements are primarily sourced from the Netherlands. The label uses a range of , exotic and tropical flowers, and traditional varieties such as , and . Collections were designed by Giorgio Armani.
In addition to floral arrangements, Armani/Fiori produces decorative items including vases, flowerpots, candles and lanterns. Materials used in collections include alabaster, Marble, and wood, formed into cylinders, cubes, and rhomboids. Giorgio Armani has created floral arrangements for seasonal occasions such as Valentine's Day and spring collections. The floral arrangements are also supplied to Armani hotels.
The first Armani Hotel opened on 27 April 2010 in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, occupying the lower 39 floors of the tower. The hotel comprises 160 guest rooms and suites, as well as 144 residences. Giorgio Armani also designed the interiors of the associated Armani Residences, incorporating elements from the Armani/Casa home furnishings collection and floral arrangements from Armani/Fiori. The "Burj Khalifa Armani Residences Road Show" was held in Milan, London, Jeddah, Moscow and New Delhi; the London event took place at the Armani Casa showroom on New Bond Street.
A second Armani hotel opened in 2011 in Milan, located in a palazzo on Via Manzoni in the city centre.
The 2022 "Josephine" collection, inspired by Joséphine de Beauharnais, incorporated paisley motifs with chalcedony and grey diamonds. Armani's fine jewellery has been worn by celebrities, including Sophia Loren, Brie Larson and Brooke Shields, at high-profile events.
Armani Collezioni offered made-to-measure tailored suits and shirts, that allowed customers to select individual elements. The line was sold in freestanding stores dedicated exclusively to Collezioni in Milan and Paris, as well as in department stores and outlets. In contrast, Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani were primarily available in freestanding stores. A sport-oriented sub-line, "Armani Collezioni Active", was also available, similar to the EA7 line from Emporio Armani. As part of a brand restructuring in 2017, Armani Collezioni, along with Armani Jeans, was integrated into Emporio Armani.
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