To My Models: A Farewell to Giorgio Armani, The Designer Who Dressed Our Quiet Power
From Your Favorite Mentor, With Respect
What’s Irving Serving?
Today, I want to speak to you not just as your mentor, but as someone who, like all of you, walked – literally and figuratively – through the house Armani built.
On September 4, 2025, we lost Giorgio Armani, the master of subtlety, the emperor of elegance, and the man who taught the world that confidence didn’t have to scream. It could whisper – and still command the room.
I know firsthand what it is like to have worked for the Giorgio Armani brand, I had the pleasure to work at the first Armani Junior Childrens Boutique in the states. It was an honor to be affiliated with this titan.
The Designer Who Understood Us
Armani understood models better than most designers ever could. He wasn’t trying to decorate you – he was trying to frame you. He respected the body, the motion, the pause, the breath between steps. His tailoring didn’t overpower; it partnered with you.
When you slipped into an Armani piece, you felt it – the way it moved with you, not against you. He once said, “Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered.” And haven’t I told you that? Every casting, every walk, every photo – you’re not performing for attention; you’re building presence.
From Piacenza to Power
Armani didn’t come from fashion royalty. He was born in Piacenza in 1934, studied medicine, served in the military, and worked as a window dresser before he became the icon we now mourn. He didn’t rush – he refined. That’s something I want all of you to remember. You don’t have to peak early. You have to build meaningfully.
His label began in 1975 with little more than vision and courage. And by 1980, with American Gigolo, his suits on Richard Gere reshaped men’s fashion. It was genderless before we called it that – soft lines, neutral tones, movement that respected identity instead of boxing it in. I also worked for Barneys New York where Gene Pressman was one of the first specialty stores to help put Giorgio Armani on the map. Oh the good old days!
He didn’t follow trends. He outlasted them.
The Quiet Lesson in Every Look
When we study Armani’s work, we’re learning restraint. His palette wasn’t loud; it was layered. His cuts didn’t shout; they supported. And that’s a lesson, especially in today’s world of algorithm-chasing aesthetics.
He once said: “My philosophy has always been to help women and men feel comfortable and confident in what they are wearing. Fashion should not make you afraid.”
Let that sink in. Clothes that make you feel strong, not self-conscious. Isn’t that what we all want? Isn’t that what I try to instill in you?
The Regret We Can Learn From
In one of his final interviews, Armani admitted something very human – his only regret was that he gave too much of himself to his work, and not enough to those he loved. Models, let that guide you. We are in a demanding world, yes – but you are more than your image, your bookings, your walk. Invest in people, not just moments.
You are not mannequins. You are storytellers. Armani knew that.
A Legacy That Will Walk On
Even in his passing, Armani thought ahead. He carefully chose who would carry the house forward. No drama. No spectacle. Just intention.
As your mentor, I ask you this:
Walk with dignity, not desperation.
Speak with style, not noise.
Dress to remember who you are – not to impress who they are.
Let Armani’s life remind you that fashion isn’t just a job, a look, or a show. It’s a philosophy. It’s how you treat people. It’s how you exit a room. It’s how you move through the world – deliberate, composed, unforgettable.
Final Note From Me to You
We lost Giorgio Armani, yes – but we didn’t lose what he gave us. His legacy lives every time you stand in a garment and decide to make it breathe. His discipline, his vision, his humility – they’re yours now to carry forward, if you choose to.
Keep walking with grace. Keep creating presence. Armani wouldn’t want mourning – he’d want elegance.
And knowing him, he’d say: “Make it simple, but significant.”
Now go. Carry that with you – on every runway, every shoot, every street. That’s how we honor him.
With care,
Your Mentor
Irving
