Leo Dell’orco’s first official appearance alongside Giorgio Armani dated June 2021. After the men’s fashion show, Armani handed hand in hand with Dell’orco in front of the audience. At that time, the designer emphasized: “It was right to get out with Leo, who has been helping me with the men’s collections for so many years. He is my employee and very talented – just like my niece Silvana in women’s fashion. I prepare my future with the people who are now with me.”
On the penultimate day of the current Fashion Week, Dell’orco came to the fore again. As with the Emporio Armani Menswear Show on Saturday, he also welcomed the audience to the presentation of the spring/summer 2026 collection by Giorgio Armani. The 89-year-old fashion designer himself is currently recovering at home.
Who is Leo Dell’orco?
Leo, with a bourgeois name Pantaleo Dell’orco, was born on November 2, 1952 in the Southern Italian Bisceglie (province of Bari). He heads the men’s design studio of the Armani Group and has been the right hand of Giorgio Armani for decades. He has also been CEO of the Basketball Association Olimpia Milano, who has been owned by Armani since 2008. The team celebrated numerous successes under his leadership: the championships 2022 and 2023, the Supercup 2020, the Italian Cup 2021 and 2022 as well as participation in the final four of the Euroleague in 2021.
Although Dell’orco has so far been known to many primarily due to his role in basketball, he has been supporting Giorgio Armani for over 45 years.
Armani about Dell’orco: “The person I entrusted my most private thoughts”
In his autobiography by Amore, Armani describes his long -time confidant: “Actually his name is Pantaleo … He is the person I entrusted with my most private thoughts – professionally and privately – and whom he kept with great discretion. Thank you, Leo!”
Dell’orco also commented in an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica in 2023: “I prefer to stand behind the scenes and to do the important things from there.” When asked whether Giorgio Armani was demanding, he replied: “I think he has never said to me that I did something well. It borders on a miracle if he knocks on my shoulder. But I don’t suffer from it. I know how he thinks. And something else: If it went after him, he would like to do everything immediately.” You can hardly follow him. “
The cooperation between the two is characterized by mutual respect, but also of intensive discussions: “If I am convinced of something, I will not give in,” said Dell’orco. “It is the funniest when Giorgio asks me for my opinion while working on the women’s collection. When I arrive, I see the fear in the eyes of everyone because they know that I always say what I think – and that I insist on it until it is convinced.”
The succession question seems to be resolved
As can be seen from a press release from the fashion house last Friday, Giorgio Armani now seems to know who will succeed.
“On the occasion of Emporio Armani’s fashion shows on Saturday and Giorgio Armani on Monday, June 23, we would like to inform you that Mr. Armani, who is currently at home, will not be present at the two shows as usual. Leo Dell’orco, who is responsible for the design of the men’s lines, welcomes the audience at the end of the fashion. Statement.
The fashion house also emphasizes: “Mr. Armani has worked with the usual commitment to the collections that are presented. Although he cannot be present personally, he will follow every phase of the organization carefully.”
This article was used with digital tools translated.
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