Giorgio Armani led his fashion empire for 50 years and was truly an icon in the industry. While he was celebrated worldwide for creating the power suit, the Italian designer was also one of fashion’s biggest film lovers, designing costumes for more than 200 movies. From Goodfellas to The Dark Knight, he dressed gangsters and superheroes, Wall Street traders and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. With the news of his passing at age 91, Vogue looks back at 10 of Giorgio Armani’s most memorable on-screen creations.

American Gigolo
Julian Kaye, the male escort at the heart of Paul Schrader’s 1980 drama, is the ultimate Armani man: relaxed, sophisticated, and always perfectly dressed. Armani was hired to create Richard Gere’s wardrobe just five years after launching his label. The film brought Armani global recognition and changed men’s tailoring forever, turning the suit from a stiff, boxy uniform into something fluid, lightweight, and undeniably elegant. The look also included preppy shirts unbuttoned to the navel, sharp khaki trousers, and a belted cashmere trench coat that blended Italian craftsmanship with Hollywood glamour.

The Untouchables
Prohibition-era Chicago provides a stylish backdrop in Brian De Palma’s 1987 thriller, where Kevin Costner’s idealistic cop Eliot Ness goes up against Robert De Niro’s Al Capone. Armani provided several three-piece suits for Costner, including the grey one he wears in the final rooftop showdown with gunman Frank Nitti. Costner’s clean lines and muted colors set him apart from the chaos and contrast sharply with De Niro’s ill-fitting jackets and flashy cravats.

Goodfellas
For Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film about the rise and fall of mobster Henry Hill, Armani designed suits that captured the gritty style of New York’s criminal underworld. The designer and director worked together many times after that, and their mutual respect was clear from the start: that same year, Scorsese made Made in Milan, a documentary short exploring Armani’s creative process and honoring his work.

The Dark Knight
Forget the mask—it was Bruce Wayne’s custom Armani suits that caught the fashion world’s attention when Christopher Nolan’s superhero hit debuted in 2008. Christian Bale looks every bit the billionaire in his wardrobe of two-button, notch-collar jackets with broad padded shoulders and fine silk ties, created with costume designer Lindy Hemming. Armani also dressed co-stars Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in The Dark Knight Rises.

Duplicity
Clive Owen, the star of Tony Gilroy’s 2009 romantic caper, brought the project to Armani himself. The actor introduced the director to the designer during Milan Fashion Week, and the collaboration took off from there. Armani worked with the film’s costumer Albert Wolsky to create every piece of clothing Owen wore on screen. From perfectly tailored suits to sleek trench coats, aviator sunglasses, and Armani Privé watches, every detail evoked the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The Social Network
After Justin Timberlake signed on to play Napster founder Sean Parker in David Fincher’s film about the creation of Facebook, he went all out to get into character—including a fitting at the Armani store in Beverly Hills. According to costume designer Jacqueline West, the real Sean Parker had all his clothes custom-made by Armani, so Timberlake followed his lead. His sharply tailored jackets, worn over casual T-shirts, helped define the character’s stylish, confident look.T-shirts and jeans form the core of his modern tech entrepreneur wardrobe. The finishing touch? Hand-sewn labels inside the pockets that read: “Giorgio Armani for Sean Parker.”

The Wolf of Wall Street
When three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell was tasked with sourcing 1990s power suits for Martin Scorsese’s celebration of capitalism, she went straight to the Armani archives. With special access granted by the designer himself, Powell drew inspiration from his classic double-breasted pinstripe suits. Two of Armani’s original designs appear on screen—a sharp pale grey suit and a navy one, both worn with effortless cool by Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort—while others were custom-made by Powell and legendary New York tailor Leonard Logsdail.

Inglourious Basterds
What does First Lieutenant Aldo Raine wear to a premiere where he plans to assassinate Hitler and his top officers? Custom Armani, of course. For the climactic scene in Quentin Tarantino’s dark comedy, the designer created an ivory dinner jacket with peak lapels for Brad Pitt. Paired with a red carnation, white pocket square, black bow tie, and pearl cufflinks, it’s a sophisticated departure from Raine’s usual rugged uniform, setting the stage for the Bond-style bloodbath that follows.

Elysium
Armani’s futuristic wardrobe for Jodie Foster in Neill Blomkamp’s 2013 sci-fi thriller marks a stark contrast to the historical costumes the designer often works on. Foster plays Jessica Delacourt, the defense secretary of a space station housing Earth’s wealthy elite, who have escaped the planet’s decline. Ruthless and ambitious, she cuts an imposing figure in steel-grey jackets, structured shift dresses, and pale skirt suits. The circular lines and muted colors of her outfits mirror the stark, minimalist interiors of the space station itself.

A Most Violent Year
Set in New York in 1981, this sleek 2014 crime drama stars Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac as Anna and Abel Morales, a couple struggling to save their heating oil business amid rampant violence and corruption. Armani’s friendship with Chastain, whom he has dressed for the Oscars and Golden Globes, led to a collaboration with costume designer Kasia Walicka-Maimone. He provided much of the actress’s wardrobe for the film, including berry-toned sheath dresses, silk pussy-bow blouses, and retro accessories, as well as a crisp white coat with broad shoulders and a cinched waist—a standout piece that underscores Anna’s status as the most powerful woman in any room.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Giorgio Armanis top fashion moments in film designed to be clear and helpful

General Beginner Questions

Q Why is Giorgio Armani so famous for his work in movies
A He was one of the first major fashion designers to actively dress Alist actors for their roles creating a powerful link between high fashion and Hollywood glamour

Q What was Giorgio Armanis first big film project
A His first major breakthrough was designing Richard Geres entire wardrobe for the 1980 film American Gigolo which made his sleek relaxed suits iconic

Q Can you name one of his most iconic film fashion moments
A Absolutely Michelle Pfeiffers powerful white pantsuit in The Untouchables is a legendary look that redefined onscreen power dressing for women

Q Does he only design for serious dramatic films
A Not at all He also designed the glamorous and colorful outfits for the cast of The Wolf of Wall Street perfectly capturing the films decadent 80s excess

Advanced Specific Questions

Q How did Armanis style influence the power suit in the 1980s
A He moved away from stiff structured suits His deconstructed jackets were softer more comfortable and had a relaxed elegance that became the new uniform for onscreen power players

Q Beyond American Gigolo what other film cemented his status in menswear
A His work on The Untouchables is a masterclass in 1930sinspired tailoring The sharp elegant suits worn by Kevin Costner and Sean Connery defined the films aesthetic

Q Has he worked extensively with any specific directors
A Yes he had a long and fruitful collaboration with director Martin Scorsese designing costumes for films like The Age of Innocence Casino and The Wolf of Wall Street

Q Whats an example of his subtle but impactful work
A In The Dark Knight he designed the sophisticated evening wear for the charity gala scene providing a crucial moment of highsociety elegance amidst the chaos

Practical BehindtheScenes