Giorgio Armani: Small-Town Med Student Who Became A Masterclass In Fashion

Giorgio Armani’s legacy goes far beyond fashion. His name has become synonymous with elegance, innovation, and timeless style. From an aspiring doctor to transforming luxury fashion and supporting humanitarian causes, Armani built a remarkable career that continues to inspire and influence people around the world. Here are six facts about the legend who reshaped the way we see style, purpose, and creativity.

Not A Designer By Plan

As a young man, Armani read the Scottish physician A.J. Cronin’s books, which inspired him to set his focus on a medical career. Additionally, another source of motivation came after he spent a long stay in the hospital as a result of the explosion of a shell. However, after the third year, he decided that the army would be a better fit.

Nevertheless, after being placed in a hospital in Verona, this, too, began to ‘serve’ as an unexciting journey and left it for the design world, debuting as a window dresser at a department store in Milan called La Rinascente- and the rest is, of course, history. 

Creator Of Colours

Called the ‘King of Greige’, Armani curated the colour Greige to describe a colour that appeared consistently throughout his career, one that was most definitely synonymous with his career. According to Armani, the colour is ‘discreet, sophisticated and natural’ and arose when he was searching for a colour that was ‘warm but at the same time metropolitan, sober but not obvious.’ 

Armani took inspiration from the city of Milan to conceptualise this colour- a colour he found in its architecture and surroundings. The impact of greige remains alive even today, with it finding its place in magazines and brand campaigns in  2010, to even in interior decoration.

‘Invested’ In Sports 

In the year 2008, Armani bought Olimpia Milano, a basketball team from Milan. This came as a result of his early appreciation for the sport when he watched his brother play. Armani regarded the team and its achievements with the utmost importance,  regularly cheering the team on courtside.

However, while basketball may have remained one of his favourite sports, his passion extended to other sports too. Armani conveyed that he often viewed sport as an inspiration for his work and the clothing lines he displayed - often emphasising the importance of discipline and competition.

Ambassador for a Better World

In 2002, Giorgio Armani was named the Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This was in recognition of his efforts to help the Afghan refugees during the early 2000s. The efforts included a Christmas campaign during which he raised awareness as well as funds.

The designer also curated sweatshirts, as well as provided support through the Armani group. Armani also worked towards fighting AIDs through supporting projects as a partner, such as the Product Red Initiative, which included designing a t-shirt with Julia Roberts to raise funds. Armani had also been involved in other humanitarian efforts, including standing up for Ukraine after its invasion. This included raising funds as well as hosting a fashion show with no music to display support.

Tech Trailblazer 

In today’s digital era, almost every fashion show is available online - if not livestreamed. However, 18 years ago, in January 2007, this practice wasn’t the norm - in fact, it was almost the opposite.

It was Giorgio Armani who decided to be the first designer to display his designs online.

Concerns of plagiarism were shared but were disregarded, and resulted in a collaboration between Microsoft MSN and Armani to display the first-ever livestream of a fashion show. This allowed individuals who weren’t invited to these shows to be able to see it without having to gain a few glimpses through magazines and other such media. 

The Carabinieri’s Couturier 

The Carabinieri are a special type of military force in Italy that is an armed forces that hold duties similar to police forces; however, they also hold specific duties that are military-like in nature. Another interesting aspect to note about the Carabinieri is that Armani was asked to and did help in designing their modern uniform. 

The uniform, which is still in use today, was changed to an elegant black from a khaki shade in the year 1998 by Armani with a few components that are blue and red. Armani approached the design of the uniform to be elegant and aesthetic while also practical.