Armani, Giorgio

(born July 11, 1934, Piacenza, Italy) Italian fashion designer. He abandoned medical school and worked as a buyer for a department store (1957–64) before training as a fashion designer. In 1974–75 he introduced his own label of ready-to-wear apparel for men and women. In 1980–81 he founded Giorgio Armani USA, Emporio Armani, and Armani Jeans, and in 1989 he opened shops in London. He was a leader in the move toward a pared-down, unstructured silhouette in menswear and was responsible for the wide-shouldered look for executive women. His designs, often characterized by understated glamour and luxurious fabrics, introduced ease and streamlined modernity into late 20th-century dressing.

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