Giorgio Armani, the celebrated Italian fashion designer who built a global empire, has died at the age of 91, his company said on Thursday.

“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said in a statement.

His vast portfolio included the Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani clothing lines alongside the haute couture label Armani Privé and an Armani Casa design and interiors line.

He was absent from his last three shows, held in June and July, owing to illness. He had been expected to attend the brand’s 50th anniversary celebrations later this month including an exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan.

The founder and sole shareholder of Giorgio Armani SpA, Armani reportedly refused numerous offers throughout his career to become part of one of the big four luxury fashion conglomerates. He described the independence of his brand as “an essential value”.

His inaugural 1975 presentation pioneered the idea of soft power dressing, earning him the title “King of the Blazer”. His proposition of fluid rather than structured suiting featuring longer-cut suit jackets, loosely pleated trousers and floor-sweeping belted coats formed an entirely new approach to dressing. He applied the same techniques to womenswear, freeing many from the fussy and figure-hugging silhouettes prescribed by other brands. His muted colour palette of greys and beige became synonymous with stealth wealth, long before the idea of quiet luxury entered the lexicon.

In 1980 the brand was catapulted to international fame when Richard Gere wore numerous pieces designed by Armani in the film American Gigolo.

This also pioneered a new way of working with Hollywood. While in the past couturiers had a relationship with one specific star, such as Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn, Armani had multiple.

In 1978, Diane Keaton became the first actor to wear Armani on the Oscars red carpet. Jodie Foster has worn the label to every ceremony but one since 1989, while Julia Roberts’ 1990 look of a steel grey oversized Armani suit teamed with a white shirt and tie has become one of the most memorable Golden Globes looks of all time.

Born in Piacenza in northern Italy in 1934, Armani originally pursued a career in medicine. He left the University of Milan before completing his degree to join the army. Shortly after he began looking for a different type of career.

“I got into fashion almost by accident and then it slowly grew in me until it completely absorbed me, stealing my life away,” he previously said.

After working as a window dresser and later a sales associate at La Rinascente, a notable department store in Milan, he took on a menswear design role at Nino Cerruti.

Armani was 41 when he launched his own label. It was his partner Sergio Galeotti, an architect by training, who convinced him to sell his Volkswagen Beetle to fund his own company. Galeotti ran the books while Armani focused on the creative side. When Galeotti died in 1995, Armani continued alone.

Armani-branded products generated £3.5bn in 2021. They included a collection of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, cosmetics, chocolates and even floristry.

After his spring/summer 2022 collection, Armani for the first time took his bow alongside Leo Dell’Orco, the head of the men’s style office, who originally joined the company in 1977.

A statement issued on behalf of his employees and family said: “In this company, we have always felt like part of a family. Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication. But it is precisely in his spirit that we, the employees and the family members who have always worked alongside Mr Armani, commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory with respect, responsibility, and love.”

In an interview with the Financial Times published days before his death, Armani explained how he planned to pass on his vast estate.

“My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me … such as Leo Dell’Orco, the members of my family and the entire working team.” He added that he “would like the succession to be organic and not a moment of rupture”.

As the news broke on Thursday, designers and celebrities began to pay tribute on social media. “The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever,” wrote the fashion designer Donatella Versace.

“A great honor to have had the chance to meet and work with such an amazing person,” wrote the Ferrari Formula One driver Charles Leclerc, who previously starred in an Armani campaign. “You will be missed Giorgio.”

“A true friend. A legend,” posted Roberts.

“Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Giorgio Armani,” wrote the actor Diane Kruger. “One of the nicest people and mentors I was lucky enough to meet and work with.”

The former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful posted: “Mr Armani taught me the importance of entrepreneurship and community and believing in your own creativity. Since meeting in the 90’s, he always believed in me and gave me a seat at the table from day one; from styling his campaigns to his endless words of wisdom at each stage of my career, he always made me feel seen.”

In a series of posts on X the actor Russell Crowe recounted how losing his bags on the way to the Cannes film festival in 1997 led to him discovering the designer. “I adored him. He was so kind. So many significant moments in my life, awards, wedding, Wimbledon … all in Armani. What a life he had, from his beginnings to his glory.”

When asked in a 2022 interview how he’ would like to be remembered, Armani replied: “As a sincere man. I say what I mean.”

Michael Schill announced today that he will step down from the presidency of Northwestern University, concluding a three-year tenure that saw continued ascension across the University’s three campuses, record fundraising and a steady rise in national rankings of the best universities in the country.

“Over the past three years, it has been my profound honor to serve as president of Northwestern University,” Schill said in a message to the community a short time ago. “In that time, our community has made significant progress while simultaneously facing extraordinary challenges. Together, we have made decisions that strengthened the institution and helped safeguard its future.”

He also acknowledged myriad challenges, including an ongoing federal research funding freeze and other issues.

“As I reflect on the progress we have made and what lies ahead, I believe now is the right time for new leadership to guide Northwestern into its next chapter,” Schill said in his message. “Therefore, I have decided, in consultation with the leadership of the Board of Trustees, that I will step down as President.”

The Board of Trustees will name an interim president soon. Schill will continue in his role until the interim president starts and will work until then to assure a smooth transition. He also will continue to work with the Board of Trustees on efforts to get the University’s frozen federal funding restored. After stepping down, Schill will take a sabbatical from the University, then return to teach and conduct research as a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

Board of Trustees Chair Peter Barris praised Schill for his leadership and devotion to Northwestern through turbulent times.

“The Board of Trustees is enormously grateful to President Schill for his leadership during a period of unparalleled challenges at Northwestern and across higher education,” said Barris. “In spite of many headwinds, President Schill and his administration worked diligently to defend Northwestern’s mission and accomplished lasting achievements that contribute robustly to Northwestern’s continued advancement among the great universities in the United States and around the globe.”

Schill was named Northwestern’s 17th president in August 2022 and took over the position that September.

Under Schill’s leadership, Northwestern climbed to No. 6 in the U.S. News & World Report national rankings, the highest ranking in the University’s history. He also oversaw the second- and third-highest fundraising years on record in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. During his tenure, the University raised nearly $2.5 billion overall.

Among his other accomplishments, President Schill:

• Led efforts to ensure the continuation of funding for critical research during a federal funding freeze;
• Helped establish academic and research centers, positioning the University as a leader in the sciences, including the Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, the Querrey Simpson Institute for Regenerative Engineering, the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, the Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence, and the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky;
• Promoted free expression and engagement across difference, including the launch of the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement and the establishment of the President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech, which submitted a Statement on Free Expression and Institutional Speech;
• Oversaw major capital projects, including the Social Science and Global Affairs Hub, the restoration of Deering Library, the new Ryan Field, the Kip and Sara Kirkpatrick Softball Stadium, the Cohen Lawn project, and the groundbreaking for a new building to unite the Kellogg School of Management’s many degree and executive programs.

“These achievements reflect the collective brilliance and devotion of many,” President Schill said in his message to the community.

“I’m forever grateful to President Schill for his service to Northwestern,” said Professor Eli Finkel, who served on the President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech, and co-directs the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement.

“President Schill has demonstrated exceptional grace in exceptional times, and he has been a stalwart defender of the most foundational academic virtues: open inquiry, passionate engagement, and a fierce commitment to the belief that intellectually diverse communities become so much more than the sum of their parts.”

“President Schill’s support and leadership have been vital for Northwestern’s scientific initiatives, like the Giant Magellan Telescope partnership and prioritizing data science and AI research and education for the University,” said Vicky Kalogera, professor of physics and astronomy and a key scientific leader in Northwestern’s Giant Magellan Telescope initiative.

“These efforts help unlock the University’s ability to make groundbreaking advances in science and engineering, now and for years to come,” said Kalogera, who also serves as director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics, and of the newly established SkAI Institute, the NSF-Simons National AI Institute for the Sky.

Schill also guided the University through a hazing scandal that began before his tenure but came to light shortly after he arrived on campus. In response, the University instituted new rules and practices to protect student-athletes.

He also dealt with unrest on campus after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s response. In the months after the attack, the University updated its policies to curb antisemitism on its campuses, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of reported incidents.

“It has been my privilege to work alongside extraordinary colleagues and to witness firsthand the resilience, generosity and strength of the Northwestern community,” Schill said. “I would like to thank my extraordinary administrative team who work tirelessly to further the interests of the University, our deans and academic leadership who promote the highest ideals of academic excellence, the faculty and staff who make Northwestern one of the greatest academic institutions in the world, and the many board members, alumni and donors who care so much about our University. And lastly, I appreciate our students, who I am confident will go on to change the world for the better.”

We’re back, baby.

It’s Florio vs. Simms. Picking every game. Straight up and against the spread.

Here they are, starting with the first game of the season, to be played tonight in Philadelphia. As the Eagles, unbeknownst to coach Nick Sirianni, hang their second banner.

And this season will get off to a bang. We disagree on seven picks, with Simms picking seven underdogs to win, straight up.

Cowboys at Eagles

Will the Cowboys rally following the Micah Parsons trade and throw a wrench in Philly’s big night? Much of it comes down to the ability of new coach Brian Schottenheimer to push their buttons in a way that allows them to outscore a better team.

Florio’s pick: Eagles 30, Cowboys 17.

Simms’s pick: Eagles 27, Cowboys 20.

Chiefs at Chargers

Is the Chiefs’ window closing? The Chargers get the first crack at commencing the process of closing it. It won’t be easy.

Florio’s pick: Chiefs 21, Chargers 17.

Simms’s pick: Chiefs 28, Chargers 24.

Buccaneers at Falcons

The Falcons swept the Bucs last year, in a couple of barnburners. The chronically underrated Bucs are well aware of that fact.

Florio’s pick: Buccaneers 30, Falcons 24.

Simms’s pick: Falcons 23, Buccaneers 20.

Bengals at Browns

The Bengals break free from their early-season struggles, against a rival who is poised to struggle all year long.

Florio’s pick: Bengals 31, Browns 17.

Simms’s pick: Bengals 27, Browns 24.

Dolphins at Colts

It will be an emotional day in Indy, with the first regular-season game following the passing of owner Jim Irsay. That could be the difference for Daniel Jones and his new team.

Florio’s pick: Colts 23, Dolphins 20.

Simms’s pick: Dolphins 24, Colts 21.

Panthers at Jaguars

It’s a battle of recently former Buccaneers’ offensive coordinators. The home team gets the edge.

Florio’s pick: Jaguars 24, Panthers 20.

Simms’s pick: Jaguars 28, Panthers 20.

Raiders at Patriots

A Raiders owner has a statue outside Gillette Stadium. The Raiders could use him on the inside of the stadium against an improving Pats team.

Florio’s pick: Patriots 23, Raiders 17.

Simms’s pick: Patriots 23, Raiders 17.

Cardinals at Saints

Both teams are a work in progress. The visitors have made more progress, so far.

Florio’s pick: Cardinals 21, Saints 17.

Simms’s pick: Cardinals 24, Saints 20.

Steelers at Jets

The Steelers didn’t make several all-in moves to lose out of the gates to an inferior roster.

Florio’s pick: Steelers 24, Jets 10.

Simms’s pick: Steelers 20, Jets 16.

Giants at Commanders

The Commanders have expectations, for the first time in a long time.

Florio’s pick: Commanders 27, Giants 17.

Simms’s pick: Giants 21, Commanders 17.

Titans at Broncos

It’s a tough draw for Cam Ward and company, because the Broncos could be forcing their way into the Super Bowl window.

Florio’s pick: Broncos 28, Titans 20.

Simms’s pick: Broncos 28, Titans 17.

49ers at Seahawks

As Christian McCaffrey goes, so go the 49ers.

Florio’s pick: 49ers 27, Seahawks 20.

Simms’s pick: Seahawks 23, 49ers 20.

Lions at Packers

The trade for Micah Parsons could give the rest of the Packers a lift. The front office sees them as a potentially elite team. They get a chance right away to prove it — and to end a three-game home losing streak to Detroit.

Florio’s pick: Packers 24, Lions 20.

Simms’s pick: Lions 28, Packers 27.

Texans at Rams

Matthew Stafford is healthy, for now. The Rams have a Super Bowl glow. The Texans, during their recent resurgence, don’t have many impressive road wins against great teams.

Florio’s pick: Rams 24, Texans 20.

Simms’s pick: Texans 24, Rams 20.

Ravens at Bills

Lamar Jackson in regular-season prime-time games is virtually unstoppable.

Florio’s pick: Ravens 30, Bills 27.

Simms’s pick: Ravens 30, Bills 21.

Vikings at Bears

Can Ben Johnson make an immediate difference for the Bears?

Florio’s pick: Vikings 24, Bears 20.

Simms’s pick: Bears 23, Vikings 20.