Of course, there must have been a moment over the many decades I knew Giorgio Armani when I finally felt at ease calling him “Giorgio” instead of “Mr. Armani,” but it took time. I admired him immensely—not just for his achievements, but for his unwavering vision of the world and how we might look and live in it. Everything he did was driven by a fierce, tireless work ethic, and even addressing him formally came with a certain trepidation. He could be steely, tough, and uncompromisingly direct when he chose to be—I saw that side of him more than once. But that was his persona, his protective layer, and it served him well.

While his designs were always clear in their intent—like Coco Chanel, he treated women with the utmost respect, instinctively understanding their liberated, modern lives—Giorgio himself was more reserved. He kept you at a distance until you had earned his trust and friendship. So many of us longed to reach that point. Over time, he and I developed a warm understanding. You had to wait for that twinkle in his eye to know you were finally accepted.

His death yesterday at 91 was deeply poignant, especially as he was about to mark his fiftieth year leading his global empire—a milestone shared by only a handful of designers like Ralph Lauren, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Rei Kawakubo. Throughout that time, his work transcended the whims of fashion, achieving a timeless clarity. Those lucky enough to wear his designs on red carpets always looked elegant, modern, and formidable—he understood power and attitude like no one else. He made actors look like movie stars, yet more like themselves. But his influence reached far beyond Hollywood: he ventured into music, sport, architecture, and art, believing fashion should never exist in isolation.

Last month, hearing he wasn’t well, I asked to see him while I was in Milan. He famously lived “above the shop”—in his elegant apartment right above Armani’s main studio. We planned to meet there, but as I was on my way, I got the call that it wouldn’t be possible. So I’ll say here what I would have told him that afternoon: he changed fashion forever for the better, and so many of us owe him so much.

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Anna Wintour on Giorgio Armani

1 Who is Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour is the influential editorinchief of Vogue magazine and a major figure in the fashion industry known for her sharp eye and leadership

2 Who is Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani is a worldrenowned Italian fashion designer and founder of the luxury fashion house Armani celebrated for his elegant timeless designs

3 Why is Anna Wintour reflecting on Giorgio Armani
She often reflects on designers who have significantly impacted fashion and Armanis contributions to style innovation and the industry make him a notable subject

4 What has Anna Wintour said about Giorgio Armani in the past
She has praised his precision sophistication and ability to redefine modern elegance often highlighting his influence on both redcarpet and everyday fashion

5 How has Giorgio Armani influenced fashion according to Wintour
Wintour notes that Armani revolutionized tailoring introduced relaxed yet refined silhouettes and made luxury accessible while maintaining high standards

6 Are there any specific collections or moments Wintour has highlighted
Yes she often mentions his iconic 1980s power suits and his consistent ability to evolve while staying true to his aesthetic vision

7 What makes Armanis work stand out to someone like Wintour
His attention to detail use of luxurious fabrics and creation of wearable art that balances classic and contemporary styles

8 Has Wintour collaborated with Armani
While not direct collaborators Wintour has featured and supported Armanis work extensively in Vogue and at fashion events

9 How can I learn more about their relationship or Wintours views
Read interviews or articles in Vogue watch documentaries like The September Issue or follow fashion retrospectives and tributes

10 What can aspiring designers learn from Wintours insights on Armani
Focus on craftsmanship develop a distinct voice and understand the balance between innovation and timeless appeal

11 Has Wintour criticized any aspects of Armanis work
She generally emphasizes his strengths but in critical fashion circles discussions may include debates on his adaptability to fastchanging trends