10/09/2025

LYFE WEDNESDAY | SEPT 10, 2025

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G IORGIO Armani, who died last Thursday, built one of the world’s most iconic fashion groups, over which he maintained a tight grip until the very end. His death raises questions about the future of his empire and who might take the reins. Here are the people closest to him who might play a key role in his succession. The sister: Rosanna Armani Giorgio’s key muse for decades, Rosanna, 86, was the youngest of the three Armani siblings. She was a model as a young woman and the designer claimed she was the first to have opened his eyes to the fashion industry. She was head of the group’s communications and led the Emporio Armani Magazine , a lifestyle magazine illustrating the concepts that inspired collections. The right-hand man: Pantaleo (Leo) Dell’Orco Armani’s closest confidant and partner, Dell’Orco was nearly always by his side. He heads Armani’s men’s style office, taking on an increasingly important role within the company where he worked for some 45 years. The two men first met at a park in Milan and although Armani never revealed a relationship formally, he proudly wore a ring from Dell’Orco that was reportedly saved from a fire at the designer’s home on the island of Pantelleria. The niece and stylistic heir: Silvana Armani Silvana, 69, is one of two daughters

of the Kering fashion and luxury conglomerate, called Armani a “remarkable visionary” who “redefined elegance”. “His influence extends far beyond fashion and will continue to inspire entire generations,” Pinault said. Jonathan Anderson, creative director at Dior, kept his tribute on Instagram short and cinematic. “The best”, read the Northern Irish designer’s caption, over a photo of Armani inspecting Robert De Niro’s costume while on the set of Casino with director Martin Scorsese. US fashion designer Michael Kors said he was “heartbroken over the passing of the remarkable Armani.” “His elegance, vision and approach to style have truly changed the way women and men around the world dress and live every day. “I felt incredibly fortunate and honored to be at his NY fashion show early this year and to witness the magic of the maestro at work,” he said. – AFP in a relationship with Italian Olympic rower Giuseppe Vicino. Like Silvana, she sits on the company’s board. The nephew: Andrea Camerana Rosanna’s son, 55-year-old Camerana entered the firm in 2007 and sits on the board. He left his operational roles in 2014. Camerana is expected to take over his uncle’s position on the Armani Foundation board to flank Dell’Orco and Irving Bellotti in the company’s governance. The financier: Irving Bellotti Partner of global financial group Rothschild & Co and member of Armani’s Executive Committee in Italy, Bellotti sits on the Armani Foundation board. He is seen as a strong candidate for the triumvirate which will steer Armani towards its new governance model. The business guru: Giuseppe Marsocci Marsocci is head of commercial and marketing operations and deputy director general since 2019. A luxury industry veteran, he has held several roles in other Italian fashion and luxury groups before joining Armani. He is a potential candidate for chief executive, along with Daniele Ballestrazzi. Ballestrazzi Ballestrazzi joined Armani in 2007 in New York as chief operating officer for the US and Canada after working in Milan for the late Italian designer Gianni Versace. He has been Armani’s chief operating and financial officer since 2015 and was appointed as deputy director general in 2019. Marchetti The Italian entrepreneur and founder of luxury online retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter, Marchetti was appointed non-executive director of the board of the fashion house in 2020. In a preface to a book by Marchetti, Armani wrote: “In Federico, I see something of myself: my ideals and my way of acting and thinking.” – Reuters The operator: Daniele The entrepreneur: Federico

Next on throne Giorgio Armani poses for pictures inside his boutique in Via Condotti, Rome.

Corriere della Sera newspaper in November 2023. She sits on the company’s board. Armani Silvana’s younger sister and Armani’s head of VIP relations, 54-year-old Roberta has long been in the limelight, liaising with high-profile clients and celebrities. Once married to Angelo Moratti, whose family controls Italian oil refiner Saras, she is now The socialite niece: Roberta

o Who will take over Armani empire?

with Dell’Orco, was his stylistic heir. Silvana was her uncle’s trusted aide in the womenswear department, where she has worked for over 40 years. “I spent more time with my uncle than with my dad... We work elbow-to-elbow,” she said in a press interview, given to Italy’s

of Giorgio’s late brother Sergio. In his autobiography Per Amore , Armani said that she, along

Giorgio (left) and Silvana walk on stage after the Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2025/2026 collection.

Giorgio (left) and Dell’Orco appear at the end of the Fall-Winter 2025/2026 menswear collection during the Milan Fashion Week. – PICS FROM REUTERS

Fashion, cinema stars hail legacy of late fashion designer

LEADING cinema and fashion figures last Thursday paid tribute to the genius of fashion legend Giorgio Armani, whose client list read like a who’s who of Hollywood stars and royalty. Julia Roberts, who frequently wore the Italian designer’s creations, called Armani “A true friend. A legend”. Fellow film star Claudia Cardinale said she was “filled with immense pain at the news” of Armani’s death at the age of 91. “Meeting Giorgio was a crucial moment in my life ... It marked my transition to becoming a new woman, independent and free. My heart is broken. Giorgio forever,” said the 87-year-old Italian actress. Australian actor Russell Crowe posted an anecdote on X about buying his first Armani suit for the 1997 Cannes film festival after his bag was lost in transit. “That began a love affair with Armani suits that continues to this

day,” he said. Bernard Arnault, head of the LVMH fashion and luxury empire, hailed his rival’s fashion and business acumen. Forbes magazine estimated Armani’s personal wealth at more than US$12 billion (RM50.5 billion). Armani “gave Italian elegance a global reach and stature. He created a unique style, made of light and shadow, which he transformed into a highly successful entrepreneurial adventure,” Arnault said in a statement. The LVMH group said Armani “was the last representative of the golden generation of post-war designers, who shaped, year after year, the standards of the highest elegance”. Another Italian fashion icon Donatella Versace said the world will never forget Armani. “The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever,” she said. Francois-Henri Pinault, the head

Onlookers hold signs that read ‘An angel wears Armani’ (left) and ‘To the King and fashion and Italian style... bye bye Mister Armani’ in the queue of people waiting to enter the Armani Theatre where the late fashion designer Armani lies in state. – AFPPIC