Throngs gather for Armani's emotional send-off

Multitudes Bid Farewell to Armani - Multitudes Say Goodbye to Armani at Emotional Farewell Event

Giorgio Armani's Farewell: A Tribute to a Legendary Fashion Designer

Giorgio Armani, one of the world's most influential fashion designers for decades, passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday. A private funeral will take place on Monday, Italian media reports suggest, with his fashion empire set to open within 14 days after the funeral.

Armani's headquarters in Milan, where his coffin currently rests, has become a place of pilgrimage for thousands. Over 6,000 people paid their respects to the iconic designer, with the line of mourners stretching far out onto the street. The room where the coffin rests is dimly lit, illuminated by hundreds of paper lanterns, and a bouquet of white roses lies on the coffin.

Fellow designer Donatella Versace was among the mourners at Armani's headquarters. The coffin of Giorgio Armani was brought to the building in a hearse on Friday morning. Armani resided on one of Milan's most elegant streets, and his presence will be deeply missed in the city's fashion scene.

Armani founded his fashion empire 50 years ago, after working for other houses. In the mid-70s, he founded Giorgio Armani SpA with his partner Sergio Galeotti. After Galeotti's early death in 1985, Armani became the sole owner of the company. The company, now worth billions, started with fashion and later expanded into accessories, perfumes, and hotels.

Armani's legacy is one of commitment, respect, and attention to people and reality. A large screen displays a photo of Armani at the end of a fashion show, with the Italian words: "The legacy I wish to leave is one of commitment, respect, and attention to people and reality. That's where it all begins."

An exhibition dedicated to Armani's life's work is set to open in Milan later this month. Armani had planned to attend the opening, but unfortunately, he will not be able to. The coffin of Giorgio Armani remains on view until Sunday evening at the Teatro Armani, where he had personally presented most of his fashion shows.

After his death, Armani's testament foresees a gradual sale of the company or alternatively an IPO, but no successor is mentioned. There is no publicly known name of a planned successor to Giorgio Armani in his fashion brand. The fashion world will have to wait and see what the future holds for the iconic brand.

Armani spent his summer in one of his villas in Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera. His influence on the fashion industry will be felt for many years to come. Rest in peace, Giorgio Armani.