“I remember falling in love with Armani on the big screen when I saw American Gigolo and starting my twice-a-year collecting of perfect Armani jackets. The construction of his clothes, the fabrication and the attitude changed the way everyone dressed and is still impacting fashion today and will continue to do so. I feel privileged to have been invited to Mr. Armani’s fashion show last year here in New York. The calm, cool elegance of the collection, the room, the invitations, every detail was thought out perfectly. He exemplified modern elegance.”—Michael Kors
Ronnie Fieg with Mr. Armani. Photo: Courtesy of Ronnie Fieg
I called Mr. Armani on his 91st birthday not long ago. I told him, “91 seems young on you,” because it truly did—he was still so full of life. He embodied momentum. He shaped this industry in ways we’ll continue to unpack for decades. Spending time with the people closest to him at the company, you could feel how deeply his presence and philosophy shaped them. Mr. Armani’s vision and aura were unmatched—he was truly one of a kind. The world lost a hero, the industry lost a titan, and I lost my North Star. I feel incredibly fortunate for the moments I was able to share with him.—Ronnie Fieg, Kith founder
