In Loving Memory of Giorgio Armani: 1934 - 2025

Growing up, Giorgio Armani was not just a brand to me. He was my first fashion love, my earliest creative inspiration, and my role model as a designer. I can still remember the gentle drape of his blazers, the perfect fit of Armani jeans, the weight of his belts and sandals, and even the quiet sophistication of his colognes.

Punta Gorda Town - Belize, C.A.

What I always admired most about Armani was his understated elegance. He had a gift for creating that elusive je ne sais quoi without ever being too loud or excessive. That restraint spoke to me on a personal level. As a Capricorn, there are certain design languages that I am naturally drawn to, and Armani embodied them completely. In many ways his design philosophy reminds me of how the British approach automotive design. Think of Bentley, Rolls Royce, or Land Rover. These cars are admired not because they are flashy but because they have a deep sense of presence and character. Armani created fashion with that same energy.

I have often been critical of European fashion. I have spoken about how Aztec cotton and other cultural contributions have been absorbed into European luxury, and I have challenged the politics of that system. At the same time, when we are honest about craftsmanship, work ethic, and legacy, we must give Armani his due. He was one of the rare designers who consistently stood apart from his peers. He carried himself with dignity. He did not live in scandal. He was not marked by the accusations of racism or slander that others have faced. Even in recent years, when questions were raised about the working conditions of certain subcontractors, the Armani name still carried a sense of integrity that is not easy to maintain in this industry.

Armani passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. In one of his final interviews, he admitted that his only regret was working too much at the expense of personal connection. That honesty struck me. Here was a man who reshaped global fashion, pioneered softer silhouettes in menswear, and empowered women through tailoring, yet at the end of it all he was still humble enough to reflect on what truly matters.

For me Armani represents more than fashion. He represents the kind of discipline, focus, and quiet confidence that I strive to embody in my own journey. My brand is rooted in Black heritage and creativity. It is about building an ecosystem that does not drain talent but uplifts it. I have always said that if I were ever to design for a European house it would only be under serious social justice commitments written directly into my contracts. I would require investment into communities, mentorship for young creators, and structural change, not just symbolic gestures. Armani is one of the very few houses where I could even imagine such a collaboration.

At the end of the day Giorgio Armani taught me that luxury is not in excess. It is in precision. It is in restraint. It is in the quiet confidence that comes from knowing who you are. As we continue building this 387-year-old Black-owned heritage house, I will carry with me the lessons I learned from Armani. Elegance does not need to shout. Craftsmanship does not need to justify itself. And true legacy is built not just on beauty, but on integrity.

Rest in peace, Maestro.