Giorgio Armani’s Legacy Lives On

Giorgio Armani’s influence on Italian fashion is entering a new chapter, with the designer’s legacy continuing to shape one of the world’s most recognizable luxury houses.

Almost a year after Armani’s death in September 2025 at the age of 91, the fashion group has announced a significant change to its creative structure. Italian designer Dario Vitale has been appointed creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories, becoming the first person from outside the Armani family to take on the role.

Vitale brings extensive experience to the position. He spent more than a decade at Miu Miu and later briefly served as creative director of Versace. He will begin his new role immediately and work alongside Silvana Armani and Leo Dell’Orco, who continue to oversee womenswear and menswear for the main Giorgio Armani collections.

The appointment represents an important moment for the fashion house as it looks toward the future while maintaining the design principles established by its founder. Armani has long been associated with understated elegance, refined tailoring and a distinctive approach to modern luxury.

Vitale is now expected to bring his own perspective to Emporio Armani while respecting the identity that has defined the brand for decades. His first major opportunity will come with the Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2027 collection, which is scheduled to be presented during Milan Fashion Week on September 24.

For Armani, the transition is not simply about appointing a new designer. It marks a new phase in the history of a fashion empire built around Giorgio Armani’s vision. As the company moves forward, his aesthetic principles will remain an important reference point while a new generation begins to shape the brand’s future.