Giorgio Armani – who died yesterday in Milan at the age of 91 – was a pillar of Milanese cultural life, including his support for opera and ballet at Teatro della Scala.
In 1997, when the La Scala Foundation was established, Giorgio Armani was among the first to support it. In 2021 he became a Supporting Founder at a particularly delicate moment for the world of entertainment, making an important contribution to the restart after the pandemic. Since 2023, Armani was an Honorary Member of the Teatro alla Scala Association of America.
He would attend ballet performances, and I last saw him earlier this year, sitting alone with his programme in row M, during the interval. La Scala will dedicate the opening night of the Ballet Season 2025/2026 on 18 December to his memory. The ballet will be Rudolf Nureyev‘s version of The Sleeping Beauty.
Yesterday evening, before Antonio Pappano‘s concert in the theatre with the London Symphony Orchestra, a one-minute silence was observed.
Armani occasionally contributed costumes for productions: Erwartung (1980), Elektra (1994), Les Contes Hoffmann (1995), and clothes for the semi-staged televised opening night of the season on 7 December 2020 during lockdown and with no audience.
La Scala’s press release reads, “With Giorgio Armani, La Scala loses a passionate supporter and interlocutor with whom we shared history, projects and a common vision of creativity and values of the City of Milan.”
The theatre’s new CEO, Fortunato Ortombina, said: “I met him on the occasion of the last Fracci Gala and he welcomed me to La Scala with warmth… Giorgio Armani for La Scala was not only a supporter but a friend in whom we found the same dedication to excellence and the same drive towards an international dimension. A symbol who was able to embody the best energies of our city.”
Giorgio Armani: 11 July 1934 (Piacenza) – 4 September 2025 (Milan)
Armani corporate announcement:
Milan, September 4th 2025
With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani.
Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.
Over the years, Giorgio Armani has crafted a vision that expanded from fashion to every aspect of life, anticipating the times with extraordinary clarity and pragmatism. He has been driven by tireless curiosity and a deep attention to the present and to people. Along this journey, he established an open dialogue with the public, becoming a beloved and respected figure for his ability to connect with everyone. Always mindful of the needs of the community, he has been active on many fronts, especially in support of his beloved Milan. Giorgio Armani is a company with fifty years of history, built with emotion and patience.
Giorgio Armani always made independence – of thought and action – his hallmark. The company is, now and always, a reflection of this spirit. His family and employees will carry the Group forward in respect and continuity of these values.
The funeral chamber will be set up from Saturday, September 6th to Sunday, September 7th, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Milan, at Via Bergognone 59, inside the Armani/Teatro. In accordance with Mr. Armani’s explicit wishes, the funeral will be held privately.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.