Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, *Vogue*, May 2021
© VoguePhotographed by Annie Leibovitz, *Vogue*, May 2021

Yesterday morning, at the Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome, Giorgio Armani received the Knight Grand Cross decorated with Grand Cordon. As Italy’s highest civilian honor, the accolade reflects both Aramni’s six-decade career in the fashion industry and his status as one of the country’s leading lights across the fashion, lifestyle, and luxury sectors. 

In a private ceremony at the palace, which serves as one of the three official residences of the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, the celebrated Italian designer was specifically awarded the honor for his services to fashion and the arts. “This honor holds a particular meaning for me,” Armani said following the ceremony. “It came from our President, who is not only the head of state, but also a man whose values, open-mindedness, and kindness are unquestionably high.”

Giorgio Armani and President Sergio Mattarella at Friday’s ceremony in Rome.
© Courtesy of Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani and President Sergio Mattarella at Friday’s ceremony in Rome.

Born in the Emilia-Romagna city of Piacenza in 1934, Armani founded his first company in 1975 with his partner in both business and life, architect Sergio Galeotti. The designer’s minimalist vision of relaxed luxury came to define 1990s fashion, both thanks to the signature ease he brought to his men’s tailoring and the understated glamour of his haute couture line which saw him become a red carpet fixture. In recent decades, Armani has branched out into hotels, sports, interiors, and dining. Building a newly completist vision for a 21st-century luxury brand, these ventures have not only made him a billionaire many times over but have also seen Armani become widely acclaimed as the most successful designer of Italian origin of all time.