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. It also said he was indefatigable to the end and driven by relentless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people.
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 with the words A true friend. A legend and a heartbreak emoji.
British designer Paul Smith also spoke about his dear friend and fellow designer, stating his continuity, down-to-earth nature and staying power in remaining as an unlisted, independent company has always been a huge inspiration for me personally.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also paid tribute, saying: With his elegance, sobriety, and creativity, he was able to bring lustre to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world. An icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.
A friend of Hollywood, he understood the power of publicity and dressed some of its biggest stars for the red carpet including for the Oscars. Even as he entered his 10th decade, Armani continued to present new collections on the French and Italian catwalks.
His legacy is woven not only into fashions past and present but will continue to shape its future for generations to come.
