Giorgio Armani outlines succession plan as a gradual transition

Giorgio Armani sees his succession as a gradual handover to his closest collaborators and family, the Italian fashion designer told the Financial Times on Friday, following a period of poor health that forced him to miss the recent Milan and Paris fashion shows.

Before skipping Milan in June, Armani, 91, who serves as both creative director and CEO of the company he founded, had never missed one of his catwalk events.

“My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me… such as Leo Dell’Orco, the members of my family, and the entire working team,” he told How To Spend It, the Financial Times supplement.

Pantaleo (Leo) Dell’Orco, head of men’s design, has long been considered Armani’s right-hand man.

“I would like the succession to be organic and not a moment of rupture,” Armani added.

One of the most iconic figures in global fashion, Armani is the sole shareholder of the company he founded with his late partner, Sergio Galeotti, in 1975. The business generated revenue of €2.3 billion ($2.69 billion) in 2024.

($1 = 0.8542 euros)