Cate Blanchett led the celebrities attending the Armani show during Milan Fashion Week on Sunday as they paid tribute to the late designer.
The presentation, which honoured the brand’s 50th anniversary, also showcased Giorgio’s final creations after he passed away peacefully at home on September 4 with the fashion house describing their ‘infinite sorrow’ at his loss.
One of the most influential and globally famous designers of the late 20th century, the courtyard of the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum was lined with candles in celebration of his life.
Attending the show, Cate, who wore a structured black and gold jacket, was joined by Eiza Gonzalez and Nathalie Emmanuel.
The actress, 56, who had been dressed by Giorgio throughout her career, teamed her look with wide leg trousers and black stiletto heels.
Eiza, 35, wore a beaded collared jacket with a coordinating pair of straight leg trousers and heels.
Cate Blanchett led the celebrities attending the Armani show during Milan Fashion Week on Sunday as they paid tribute to the late designer
Attending the show, Cate was joined by Eiza Gonzalez (L) and Nathalie Emmanuel (R)
The presentation, which honoured the brand’s 50th anniversary, showcased Italian fashion designer Giorgio’s final creations after he passed away peacefully at home on September 4 (Armani is pictured here during One Night Only series in Dubai on October 26, 2021)
Actress Nathalie, 36, opted for a strapless tapestry gown with a long fur coat draped over her shoulders.
They were joined at the event by former editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour, 75, who wore all-white.
Giorgio’s niece Silvana Armani and the historic collaborator Leo Dell’Orco greeted the audience at the end of the Giorgio Armani collection show
Carlo Capasa, president of the Italian Fashion Chamber, confirmed the Armani show would be taking place in a statement released earlier this week.
He stated: ‘We will celebrate Milan Fashion Week by paying tribute to one of its founders, Giorgio Armani, and to his creative, entrepreneurial and personal legacy, so valuable in this transformation period the fashion industry is going through.’
Armani died just weeks ahead of the planned 50th anniversary celebration
During his 50 years at the pinnacle of fashion, he left an indelible mark, reinventing. officewear for men and women in the 1980s, pioneering the concept of ‘stealth wealth’ in the 1990s and dominating the red carpet until the very end.
A spokesperson for the company added: ‘Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication.’
Armani had been CEO and creative director up until his death and said in his last interview last weekend: ‘My greatest weakness is that I am in control of everything.’
In celebration of his life, t he courtyard of the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum was lined with candles while the fashion house described their ‘infinite sorrow’ at his loss
Cate wore a structured black and gold jacket with wide leg trousers
Eiza, 35, wore a beaded collared jacket with a coordinating pair of straight leg trousers and heels
Actress Nathalie, 36, opted for a strapless tapestry gown with a long fur coat draped over her shoulders
Eiza has her hair pulled back into a sleek bun and opted for a very subtle makeup look
They were joined at the event by former editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour, 75, who wore all-white
Giorgio’s niece Silvana Armani and the historic collaborator Leo Dell’Orco greeted the audience at the end of the Giorgio Armani collection show
LaTanya Richardson, Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson were seated on the front row
Cate was joined after the show by Afef Jnifen
The duo shared a hug as the event got underway
Samuel L. Jackson opted for a navy tuxedo with a silk bow tie
Richard Gere wrapped an arm around his wife Alejandra Silva as they took their seats
The actor greeted the crowds outside the venue when he left
The self-confessed workaholic, who was involved in every aspect of shows, had previously revealed how his biggest regret in life was ‘spending too many hours working and not enough time with friends and family’.
Armani, who dressed celebrities including Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga, was famous for his relaxed tailoring. But his influence extended far beyond the red carpet.
His suits also featured in a series of memorable films over the years; he dressed Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980), Robert De Niro in Goodfellas (1990) and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013).
He was the most successful Italian fashion designer in history, as well as its most successful entrepreneur, as sole shareholder in an empire that expanded far beyond the catwalk.
His tireless drive and ambition saw him preside over Giorgio Armani, menswear label Emporio Armani and his diffusion line Armani Exchange, with a couture line, Armani Privé, launched in 2005.
An early adopter of the concept of brand extension, he also pioneered Armani Casa, Armani Beauty and Armani Hotels and Resorts, as well as putting his name to art exhibitions, live music performances, sporting events and even chocolates.
Fellow Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace said the ‘world had lost a giant today’.
Writing on Instagram, she said: ‘He made history and will be remembered forever.’
Eiza posed for a photo with Bianca Balti
James Norton opted for a classic black tuxedo and tie for the show
The actor shielded his eyes with sunglasses as he departed the show
Mohammed Al Turki joined Nathalie for a photo
Glenn Close wore a black suit with a white silk shirt
Jesse Williams looked smart in a tuxedo with a pinstriped satin shirt
Models walked the runway in purple beaded gowns with cut-out sections
Madonna’s son Rocco Ritchie was in attendance
Lauren Hutton wore an all-white suit
Film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis was in attendance with his wife Jacqueline Baudit
Armani’s funeral will be private, the group said, but well-wishers can pay respects beforehand at a funeral chamber open on Saturday and Sunday in Milan.
‘Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,’ the company said.
‘Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects,’ the company said.
Armani had cancelled his menswear show in Milan this year due to health reasons. He also missed the Paris Armani Prive show on doctors’ orders.
He directed a couture show in Paris, titled Noir Seduisant in July 2025, remotely from Milan due to a short illness.
‘In 20 years of Armani Prive, it’s the first time I’m not in Paris,’ he said in a statement in July. My doctors advised more rest, even though I felt ready.’
He added that he had ‘followed and overseen every aspect of the show remotely’, stressing: ‘I approved and signed off on everything you will see.’
Giorgio said in January that ‘taking a step back in the near future [was] inevitable’ but he would ‘continue as long as my health and energy permits’.
In October last year, Armani said he planned to retire within ‘two to three years’.
He said in an interview published in Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper that he has restless nights in which he dreams of a future in which ‘I no longer have to be the one who says ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.’
The Italian icon was credited with inventing red-carpet fashion, but also moved into a younger and less expensive range through Emporio Armani, and opened luxury hotels.
Armani pictured in Rome, Italy, in July 1987. He died just weeks ahead of a planned 50th anniversary celebration set to take place at Milan fashion week
Italy’s Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli led the tributes, paying homage to ‘a leading figure in Italian culture, who was able to transform elegance into a universal language’.
‘His understated and innovative style redefined the relationship between fashion, cinema, and society, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary culture,’ he said.
‘He was not only a master of fashion, but also a recognised ambassador of Italian identity around the world.’
Armani also dressed some of the most iconic characters in Hollywood with his creations seen in The Wolf of Wall Street, Batman’s The Dark Knight, and American Gigolo.
He was synonymous with modern Italian style and elegance. He combined the flair of the designer with the acumen of a businessman, running a company that turned over some 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) a year.
He had been unwell for some time, and was forced to drop out of his group’s shows at Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June, the first time in his career that he had missed one of his catwalk events.
