Milan Fashion Week: Giorgio Armani’s final work seals his fashion legacy forever
At the beginning of this month, the fashion world mourned: the Armani Group announced the passing of its founder, the legendary designer Giorgio Armani, at the age of 91. Days later, the Giorgio Armani brand unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 womenswear collection at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. Personally designed by Mr Armani himself, the collection stands as his final masterpiece. This rare and precious presentation drew a host of celebrities and close friends of the House, paying tribute with their presence.
Among those in attendance were American actor Richard Gere, Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett, acclaimed designer Dries Van Noten, as well as Hu Ge and Zhang Ziyi, alongside Giorgio Armani’s family and the brand’s core team. Adding to the sense of history, several legendary models with deep ties to the house also graced the runway, bringing the season’s collection to life with elegance and reverence.
Beyond the many familiar faces from across industries, the brand team made a carefully considered choice in selecting the Brera Art Gallery as the venue to honour Mr Armani’s final creative collection. This decision was deeply symbolic, for in Giorgio Armani’s world, two places always held profound significance: Milan — the city that embodies modernity and pragmatism; and Pantelleria — the Mediterranean island between Europe and Africa, infused with exotic charm. In a sense, this collection was not only an interpretation of his design philosophy, but also a marker of the close of an era and the dawn of a new chapter.
Spring/Summer 2026 Womenswear Collection
Every detail is aligned with Mr. Armani’s design aesthetic, with silhouettes that exude a poetic atmosphere and a powerful sense of emotion. From sharp tailoring and refined fabrics to natural tones, each creation seems to carry a flowing rhythm and weightless texture, as though one were immersed in the gentle breeze of Pantelleria.
A Tribute Exhibition: “Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore”
To honour the legendary Italian designer’s lifelong contribution to fashion, the House has curated a retrospective exhibition titled Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore. Personally conceived by Giorgio Armani before his passing, the exhibition carries profound significance, held at the Brera Art Gallery—the same venue as his final collection. On display are over 120 archival masterpieces, celebrating five decades of the brand’s illustrious creations. Running from 24 September 2025 to 11 January 2026, it is an unmissable opportunity for those wishing to once again witness the timeless artistry of Mr. Armani’s work.
