Star contingent for Armanis last collection in Milan

The Hollywood prominence, including Glenn Close, Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett, was present in Milan on Sunday evening at the fashion show of the Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani. It was the last collection on which the designer worked before his death.

The fashion show was originally supposed to celebrate the fifty anniversary of the Armani fashion house. However, it became a last homage to the Italian icon, which died on September fourth at the age of 91.

The event took place in the Pinacoteca di Brera, a renowned art gallery. There are over 120 of his creations as part of an anniversary exhibition opened this week.

Paper lanterns were set up in the courtyard. They recalled the update hall, in which the public could have the last honor at the beginning of the month. The models ran under the historical column.

“This moment, this atmosphere speak for itself. There are many memories here tonight,” actress Cate Blanchett told the AFP.

The collection is inspired by two places that were particularly important for Armani. One place is Milan, where he lived opposite the Pinacoteca. The other is the small, remote Italian volcanic island of Pantelleria between Sicily and Tunisia on which he had a holiday home.

It combines classic suits and glittering robes for the red carpet. The pieces are held in neutral, green, blue and purple tones, which are reminiscent of the light, the earth and the sea.

“Everything has a fluid and easy effect, as if it were ready to give in to the island’s winds,” said the brand in the booklet for the fashion show.

The group committed models that have run for the designer in the past five decades. They are considered “embodiment of his idea of ​​the woman”.

End of a cycle

A visit to the exhibition followed after the fashion show. There, iconic outfits of the designer were placed between masterpieces of Italian art.

Among them was Richard Gere’s suit from ‘American Gigolo’. The film contributed significantly to the fame of the actor and Armani. His film partner Lauren Hutton was also present at the fashion show.

The actors were also present: inside Samuel L. Jackson, James Norton, Toni Servillo and Zhang Ziyi and the director Spike Lee. Lee described Armani as a “Renaissance human” to the AFP.

The guests were asked to appear in evening wear. With their invitation they received a white T-shirt with a picture from Armani.

The last piece of the fashion show was a long, deep blue glittering dress. It also showed the portrait of the designer, which led to standing ovation of the 700 guests.

In the end, Giorgio Armanis niece Silvana Armani and the partner and employee of the designer, Leo Dell’orco. The emotions among many spectators: inside was noticeable.

“This collection is the last one where Giorgio Armani has worked personally. In a way, it is a stylistic legacy and the end of a cycle so that new ones can begin,” said the group.

Throughout his life, Armani kept the strict control over his billion dollar business empire, which he built in five decades. It ranges from haute couture to hotels.

Although he lacked some fashion shows this summer for health reasons, he was in constant contact with his teams.

In his will, however, the billionaire had that the company should be sold, either to a large fashion group or through a IPO.

The fashion show on Sunday marks the factual end of the Milan fashion week, even if the program continues until Monday.

Some of the largest Italian fashion houses, including Prada, Gucci, Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana, presented their collections for spring/summer 2026 in the Lombard capital this week.