Fashion may be a fluid industry that evolves with the times, but few designers were gutsy enough to break with the norms and endeavor to revolutionize it the way Piacenza, Italy, native Giorgio Armani did.
When he established his brand with his personal and professional partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, in 1975, Armani created jackets, evening dresses and other clothing that sharply departed from the form-fitting designs that his competitors were producing. Working with a subdued color palette and light fabrics, Armani instead pioneered power dressing. By the early 1980s, the designer was lauded for his sleek but relaxed-fit shirts in washed greens and beige tones for men and elegant, broad-shouldered suits for career-minded women. His collections were intended to fit naturally but confer a sense of confidence on the wearer, and the designs were just as luxurious as the garments that were gliding down Milanese catwalks at the time.
Armani, a shipping manager’s son, spent his childhood wanting to become a doctor, and he even studied medicine briefly at the University of Milan before dropping out and joining the army. In the late 1950s, he was hired as a window dresser at the Milan department store La Rinascente before moving into the role of menswear buyer. When he realized that his calling was in fashion design, not buying, he left La Rinascente to train at Nino Cerruti’s atelier and eventually began to take on what became a wealth of freelance design work.
At Galeotti’s urging, Armani opened his own design office in 1973, and two years later, he established his eponymous label of ready-to-wear for both men and women that challenged fashion’s traditional silhouettes and the conventions of tailoring.
“I was the first to soften the image of men and harden the image of women,” Armani has said of his early years. The designer dressed men in soft textures such as silk and linen that were traditionally relegated to feminine garments and designed power suits for women — an audacious and undeniably androgynous take on high fashion that was well received by critics. He won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1979 and launched a diffusion line called Armani Collezioni that year. While his collections for men and women gained legions of admirers in Europe, it wasn’t until the premiere of the film American Gigolo — featuring heartthrob Richard Gere exclusively outfitted in a crisp, sleek and sexy Armani wardrobe — that the brand took off in the United States.
Until his passing in 2025, Armani was still designing ready-to-wear collections, and the luxury house had also expanded over the years into home decor, hospitality and more. In February 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Armani was the first fashion house to close its runway shows to the public in order to limit exposure. In early 2022, the brand was among the first to cancel men’s and haute couture shows scheduled in January.
Find vintage Giorgio Armani clothing on 1stDibs.
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 10.5 Blue White Tie Dye Canvas Slip On Loafers
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI loafers in a blue and white canvas featuring a tie dye design, grosgrain trim, and slip on closure. Shoe trees not included. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Conditio...
Vintage Emporio Armani Black Wool Mini Skirt
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and minimal, this vintage Emporio Armani black wool mini skirt from the 1990s is a refined example of the brand's timeless approach to f...
$339Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 10 Black Viscose Blend Cocktail Dress
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI cocktail dress comes in a black viscose blend with a purple liner featuring a shift style, fur trim, and a back zip up closure. Made in Italy. Very Good Pre-Owned Cond...
$250Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 6 Black Patent Leather Derby Lace-Up Shoes
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI shoes in a black patent leather featuring a derby style, almond toe, and lace-up closure. Comes with box. Made in Italy.New with Box. Marked: X2C036 5Outsole: 10.5...
$197Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 7.5 Brown Leather Lace-Up Shoes
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI shoes in a brown leather featuring a derby style, rubber sole, and lace-up closure. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: X2C536 6.5Outsole:11.25 in...
GIORGIO ARMANI Size S Grey Gold Polyester Blend Collarless Zip Jacket
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
Giorgio Armani collarless jacket features a refined grey and gold polyester blend, offering a subtle shimmer. The 3/4 sleeves and zip front create a modern silhouette, while the impe...
Giorgio Armani Patent Leather Derby Shoes
By Giorgio Armani
Located in London, GB
Giorgio Armani Patent Leather Derby Shoes Black derby shoes crafted from glossy patent leather with a lace-up front. Featuring a round toe, stacked heel and leather lining. Rrp Ap...
Vintage Mani Yellow and Black Leaf Print Silk Blouse
By Giorgio Armani
Located in London, GB
A pretty vintage silk blouse by Mani. The blouse has a black background with yellow design. It has a round neckline, pocket on the left hand side , button cuffs and pleat detail on t...
Armani Circa 1990s Bronze Olive Quilted Long Coat
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Armani floor-length coat Bronze olive nylon blend Quilted in a chevron pattern Side zippers Bronze snap closures Silk lined Made in Italy
GIORGIO ARMANI Size S Black Velvet Rhinestones Side Zipper Casual Pants
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI casual pants in a black velvet fabric featuring all over micro rhinestone pattern, wide leg, and side zipper closure. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric and care ta...
$126Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 4 Black & Grey Pinstripe Pencil Skirt
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI skirt comes in a black & gray pinstripe with a full slip liner featuring a pencil style, back vent, and back zipper closure. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: ...
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 40 Grey Black Grid Virgin Wool Blend Pleated Drawstring Casual Pants
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI casual pants in a grey and black wool blend fabric featuring a pleated style, grid pattern, and zip fly closure with drawstring waistband.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition...
Vintage Girogio Armani Ivory Top
By Giorgio Armani
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear top by Giorgio Armani. The top has a round neckline, with a four button opening at the back. The fabric , a silk mix is ribbed and the sleaves are gathered a...
$963Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 4 Black White Viscose Blend Buttoned Coat
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI coat in a black & white woven viscose blend featuring a wide strap detail and a buttoned closure. Strap could be styled in other ways. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Own...
$339Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 40 Grey Wool Spandex Single Button Sport Coat
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI sport coat in a grey wool blend fabric featuring a notch lapel and single button closure. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 40 Measurements: ...
$197Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 4 Cream Burnout Striped Viscose Collared Pullover
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI pullover comes in cream burnout ribbed stripe sheer knit with a collared V neck. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: IT 40 Measurements: Shou...
GIORGIO ARMANI white rolled hem checkered knit pullover top IT52 XL
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Hong Kong, NT
GIORGIO ARMANI white rolled hem checkered knit pullover top IT52 XL Reference: PRWU/A00197 Brand: Giorgio Armani Material: Fabric Color: White Pattern: Checkered Closure: Pullover Ma...
Giorgio Armani Leather Brogues
By Giorgio Armani
Located in London, GB
Giorgio Armani Leather Brogues Brown flats crafted in Italy from premium brown leather with signature perforated detailing. Featuring a round toe and black rubber soles. Rrp Appro...
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 30 Black Velvet Wide Leg Dress Pants
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI black velvet dress pants, featuring a sophisticated wide-leg silhouette and a luxurious satin waistband. Expertly crafted in Italy from a premium viscose blend, this e...
GIORGIO ARMANI Size XL Black Jacquard Viscose Blend T-shirt
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
Giorgio Armani black T-shirt features a sophisticated jacquard pattern with wavy textural lines. Crafted in Italy from a premium viscose blend, it offers a luxurious yet comfortable ...
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 36 Charcoal Wool Notch Lapel Sport Coat
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
Giorgio Armani sport coat is a masterclass in Italian tailoring. Crafted from premium wool with a sophisticated herringbone weave pattern, it features a classic two-button front, not...
Black Giorgio Armani Velvet Tapered Pants Size IT 40
By Giorgio Armani
Located in New York, NY
Black velvet tapered pants by Giorgio Armani. Elasticized smocked waistband. Fringe trim at leg openings. 28" waist, 32" hips, 23.5" length.
$338Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 10 Navy Wool Jacket Blazer
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI blazer comes in a navy wool with a full liner featuring a peak lapel, slit pockets, and a double button closure. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 46 Measur...
$286Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 11 Brown Perforated Leather Monk Strap Loafers
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI loafers comes in a brown perforated suede featuring a round toe and a monk strap. Made in Italy. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 10 / X2L029Outsole: 12.5 in...
$686Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Soft Size 38 Black Marbled Wool / Silk Peak Lapel Sport Coat
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI sport coat comes in a black marbled wool / silk with a full liner featuring a peak lapel, slit pockets, and a single button closure. Made in Italy. Very Good Pre-Owned...
Giorgio Armani Beaded Navy Evening Suit 3 Piece Size 46
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a stunning evening suit designed by Giorgio Armani. The suit features three pieces and is in breathe taking hues of navy. The jacket is intricately beaded and embellished wi...
Giorgio Armani Patent Leather Derby Shoes
By Giorgio Armani
Located in London, GB
Giorgio Armani Patent Leather Derby Shoes Black derby shoes crafted from glossy patent leather with a lace-up front. Featuring a round toe, stacked heel and leather lining. Rrp Ap...
Giorgio Armani Cream Blazer Jacket
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- The jacket features stripped pattern motif, collar, v- neckline, three front buttons closure with GA, pockets on each side and front side pocket on the top. - The size tag is missi...
1990S GIORGIO ARMANI Black & White Silk Chiffon Fully Beaded Bias Strapless Coc
By Giorgio Armani
Located in New York, NY
1990S GIORGIO ARMANI Black & White Silk Chiffon Fully Beaded Bias Strapless Cocktail Dress
$1,984Sale Price|20% Off
GIORGIO ARMANI Size 10 Black White Viscose Blend Woven Buttoned Coat
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Francisco, CA
GIORGIO ARMANI coat comes in a black & white woven viscose blend featuring two front straps, stand up collar, back strap detail, and a buttoned closure. Made in Italy. New With Tags....