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Fashion icon Giorgio Armani, who passed away on September 4th at the age of 91, will be laid to rest today in a private ceremony near his birthplace in northern Italy. The intimate funeral, held in the small village of Rivalta, stands in stark contrast to the massive public outpouring of grief seen over the weekend in Milan.
Thousands lined up to pay their respects at Armani’s headquarters, the Armani Teatro, where his body lay in state. Among the mourners were Donatella Versace, Milan’s mayor, and renowned film directors. One visitor, Giulia Ponzi, told reporters, “I came to pay tribute to a great man who made Italy great in the world.”
Today’s service will be held at the San Martino church in Rivalta, a village close to Armani’s birthplace of Piacenza. Both cities have declared a day of mourning.
Local businesses, including Armani stores, will close in the afternoon as a mark of respect. Rivalta itself will be closed to the public.
The Armani Group has kept details of the funeral largely private, but reports suggest he will be buried in the family chapel alongside his parents and brother.
Armani’s connection to the region remained strong throughout his life. Local restaurateurs fondly recall his patronage, noting that their tortelli reminded him of his mother’s cooking.
Armani’s absence from Milan Men’s Fashion Week in June 2025 marked the first time he missed a runway show in his career. Despite his declining health, he continued to work on a retrospective exhibition and a runway show celebrating 50 years in the business, both of which are expected to proceed as planned. His legacy as a designer who redefined modern elegance and tailoring will undoubtedly continue to inspire for generations to come.