In Milan, Italy, where fashion never stops – runways, shoots or publications – the city simply keeps creating. However, Sept. 4 was different; the hustle and bustle paused – renowned fashion designer Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind a deep imprint on his community.

Taking a step back to where it all started, we can see how this all has bled through into today.

As one of the most influential creatives of the ‘90s, Armani was best known for his chic, monochromatic and simplistic style. His collections featured creative spins on traditional menswear, making him a prominent figure in trends, film and the runway scene.

The ‘90s were Armani’s.

One of my many favorite fashion moments in history is Julia Roberts at the 1990s Golden Globes sporting the famous Armani staple. The minimalistic, relaxed suit contrasted with the gowns that many of the women wore and it served. Some may argue that the garment was too masculine and messy looking – however, I disagree. The flowy fit did not make her look any less exceptional. In fact, for me, it was easily comparable to any of the other dresses that night. This decade proved critical in establishing Armani’s place in this vast world of creative designers.

My favorite collection has to be Spring/Summer 2005 which perfectly encapsulates how timeless his designs truly are. Diving into the Spring/Summer 2005 archives, many of the styles and silhouettes are making their way back into fashion, right on time for the 20-year trend cycle. The garments have abstract detailing that add distinctiveness to the otherwise boring base. The suit jacket tops flare out at the hips and include shoulder padding to give dimension. The tops also involve plunging necklines, and, of course, all of these looks feature a low-waisted bottom. If we take the time and look at current trends now, all of these elements have already made their way back into fashion.

I especially adore how Armani was able to help working women legitimize themselves in the male-dominated business world. By deconstructing the suit and allowing it to effortlessly conform and float around the body, he created a comfortable yet put-together appearance, one still worn by the corporate women of today. Armani’s incorporation of femininity into menswear helped him win favor and admiration from celebrities and fellow designers.

Armani inspired one of my favorite runway collections at New York Fashion Week this year: Calvin Klein Fall/Winter 2025. The catalog looks directly inspired by him but still unique to itself. Most baggy business-casual outfits tend to look quite sloppy, especially in today’s day and age, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how effortlessly gorgeous this collection turned out. The best piece utilized was the trench coat—I noticed many models sporting this oversized garment, but it was so structured and fitted that I didn’t realize how large the ensemble really was.

Milan Fashion Week also just concluded with a final remembrance show honoring Armani. The show – originally a 50 year anniversary celebration turned into a gathering for the community to pay their final respects. With celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Anna Wintour and Samuel L. Jackson in attendance, there was a real sense of unity. Not all of these people were involved in fashion, but that didn’t matter – what mattered was honoring the friend, fellow creative or muse that Armani was. The collection displayed was his final design and it consisted of the classic suits as well as glittery gowns. My favorite part was all the blue hues used – blue being my favorite color might make me a bit biased but the midnight blue combined with the fine glitter detailing was mesmerizing.

Whether it’s on the runway with new designers, on the streets with it-girls or your mom’s style that hasn’t changed since the ’90s, refusing to buy into any new trends, there is no denying that Armani is everywhere.

From the loose-fit style of his menswear to the feminized designs that have captured many, Giorgio Armani will be remembered and celebrated as one of the most extraordinary designers of all time.