The late Giorgio Armani, who died on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91, left behind a carefully structured plan for the future of his fashion house. Widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of the modern era, Armani had long prepared for the eventual transfer of his empire, ensuring both family members and trusted collaborators were included in the succession process.
Succession Plan and Ownership Distribution
According to his business will, ownership of the company has been divided among close associates and relatives. Leo Dell’Orco, his longtime collaborator and head of menswear, received a 40% stake, granting him significant influence in the brand’s direction. His niece, Silvana Armani, who oversees womenswear, and his nephew, Andrea Camerana, were each assigned 15% of the company. The remaining 30% is to be held by the Armani Foundation, which was established in 2016 to safeguard the label’s continuity and preserve Armani’s values.
In addition to the corporate structure, Armani’s private will distributes personal assets. His estate includes a 2.5% stake in Essilor-Luxottica, valued at approximately €2.5 billion, along with luxury properties in Milan, New York, Pantelleria, and St. Tropez. This ensures that both his professional and personal legacy are intertwined with careful planning and long-term vision.
Mandatory Sale Of Company Shares
A central provision of Armani’s will is the requirement for the Armani Foundation to begin divesting part of its ownership. Within 12 to 18 months of his passing, the Foundation must offer a 15% minority stake for sale. The will specifies potential preferred buyers, including major fashion and luxury groups such as LVMH, L’Oréal, or Essilor-Luxottica, underlining Armani’s intention that the brand remain within the sphere of global luxury leaders.
Over the next three to five years, the sale must be expanded either to 30% or 54.9% of the company. Alternatively, a comparable percentage may be floated through an initial public offering on the Italian stock exchange or another major market. This staged process indicates Armani’s foresight in opening the company to external stakeholders while ensuring that its essence remains intact through the Foundation’s permanent role as a major shareholder.
Despite this openness to outside investment, Armani insisted that the Foundation retain at least 30% ownership indefinitely. This safeguard ensures that the company remains anchored in his vision, with profits and influence reinvested to maintain design integrity and financial independence.
Preserving A Creative Legacy
Beyond financial arrangements, Armani placed strong emphasis on the artistic DNA of his fashion house. His will outlines detailed guidelines for future collections, which should continue to embody the qualities he defined as “essential, modern, elegant and understated design with attention to detail and wearability.” This stipulation reflects his lifelong belief that fashion should combine refinement with functionality rather than chase trends.
Armani’s last collections for Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani are scheduled to debut during Milan Fashion Week beginning on September 23, 2025. These shows are expected to serve as both a farewell and a bridge to the brand’s next era. At the same time, Milan will host a major exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Giorgio Armani label. The exhibition will chronicle the designer’s contributions to modern fashion, from redefining power dressing in the 1980s to influencing global cinema and red-carpet culture.
Governance And Family Involvement
The company’s executive committee has confirmed that the provisions of the wills were designed to guarantee “strategic continuity, corporate cohesion and financial stability for long-term development.” This structure ensures that Armani’s empire does not fragment but instead moves forward under unified leadership.
Additional non-voting shares of 15% each were assigned to his niece Roberta Armani and his sister Rosanna Armani, acknowledging their roles within the family and brand without granting them executive power. While these stakes do not influence governance, they reinforce Armani’s intent to distribute wealth equitably among relatives while entrusting management to those most directly involved in the business.
The wills themselves were last revised in spring 2025, and some handwritten amendments were reportedly jotted on the back of an envelope. This detail highlights Armani’s ongoing attention to his legacy, even in his later years, and his commitment to ensuring that no ambiguity clouded the succession.
Strategic Outlook For The Brand
Industry analysts suggest that Armani’s decision to mandate partial divestment reflects awareness of the increasing consolidation in global fashion. Luxury groups like LVMH and Kering dominate the sector, and Armani’s independent model, while successful, faced long-term challenges in competing with such conglomerates. By preparing a pathway for outside investment, Armani created opportunities for fresh capital while protecting the brand’s independence through the Foundation.
The appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer is expected to be one of the first priorities under the Foundation’s stewardship. This role will be crucial in navigating the brand’s expansion, digital transformation, and continued relevance in a competitive luxury market. The Foundation will also oversee philanthropic projects, further embedding Armani’s influence in both cultural and social spheres.
Armani’s passing marks the end of an era for Italian fashion, but his meticulous planning ensures that the company remains firmly positioned to adapt, grow, and preserve the distinct style that made his name a global symbol of elegance.