MILAN — Giorgio Armani, the renowned fashion designer, will be absent from the stage during the upcoming Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani runway shows at Milan Fashion Week. Armani’s fashion house conveyed this news on Friday, revealing that he is recovering at home without specifying details of his condition.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Armani’s illustrious fashion house as the designer approaches his 91st birthday on July 11. Although not physically present, Armani will closely supervise every aspect of the shows, according to a statement released by his team. His trusted partner and head of menswear design, Leo Dell’Orco, will step in to acknowledge the closing bows in his stead.
Milan Fashion Week will unveil the Spring-Summer 2026 Emporio Armani menswear collection on Saturday. Complementing this, the Giorgio Armani menswear line will conclude the predominantly menswear-centric shows on Monday. Despite his absence, the statement emphasized that Armani devoted his usual focus and energy to crafting these new collections.
Armani is celebrated not only for his iconic designs but also for his unwavering commitment to his work. On his 90th birthday, he was diligently engaged in his profession, illustrating his dedication. In June 2021, during the first live fashion event after the COVID-19 lockdowns, Armani revealed a significant scar on his left arm from surgery, following an accident shortly after winter restrictions eased. Despite this setback, he successfully contributed to the preparation for that menswear show along with an Armani Prive couture assembly.