Fashion shapes everyday lives, from the clothing we choose each morning to the glamour of red carpets, to the famous fashion houses that have left a mark on fashion history. But as fashion evolves, the legendary designers have been stepping down or passing away, leaving the industry in a generational shift that we are witnessing firsthand.
Italian designer Giorgio Armani passed away in September 2025 at the age of 91 in Milan, Italy. Armani, founded in 1975, aimed to revolutionize the tailoring industry, creating more comfortable, relaxed clothing while keeping the luxury of high-end class.
Armani started by removing the linings from men’s suits, letting jackets and trousers feel more relaxed during wear, as explained by the New York Times. For women, he created stylish and authoritative styles, for example, dressing Nancy Pelosi in a uniform in which femininity and business could coexist.
Armani is not only a house for tailoring, but a home to many more lines. Armani has a universe, ranging from Armani/Casa for elegant home decor, Armani/Fiori for floral arrangements, to Armani/Dolci for chocolates. Armani Beauty is the cosmetic and perfume line, including the high-end Armani Privé fragrances. Additionally, there are Armani Hotels and restaurants around the world. The icon and brand even combine sports, as the owners of a basketball club in Italy, Olimpia Milano.
Armani worked until his passing, after he had made a big decision regarding the Armani house a few months before. He had seemingly been opening doors to sell the company after 50 years. In his will, Giorgio had directed his heirs to sell a 15% stake to either the parent company of Louis Vuitton, called LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, EssilorLuxottica SA, or L’Oréal SA within 18 months. Alternatively, Armani could be listed on a public stock market, while the company’s value is estimated to be around $8.2 billion.
Forbes explores the legacy of Armani, including his achievements and impact on the fashion world as we know it today.
In early 2026, legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani passed away at age 93. The brand Valentino, officially founded in 1960, was also most notable for the famous “Valentino Red”. A mixture of 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 10% black, the first dress in the color was debuted in 1959, and resembled a poppy. He had developed the idea from his days attending the opera with his father, where a red was worn by the performers. In his own words, Valentino explained the meaning of the color to him, stating, “For the Valentino maison, red is not just a colour; it is a non-fading mark, a logo, an iconic element of the brand, a value,” per Glam Observer.
From dressing Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and more legendary names, the Valentino brand is credited with creating famous looks that have left their mark in fashion history, pop culture, and red-carpet fashion. Valentino’s idea of timeless beauty, bold, statement reds, and era-defining pieces will forever leave a lasting impression on the world.
The Devil Wears Prada famously centers on the fashion industry and even featured a cameo from the designer himself. After film director David Frankel learned he was in New York during filming, the crew re-created one of Valentino’s shows, and he agreed to make an on-screen appearance, according to Marie Claire. Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestley, then meets him backstage at the show.
Valentino’s final runway show was in January 2008, for the Spring-Summer Haute Couture collection. After the collection was shown, models wearing the signature Valentino Red were projected across the walls of the Musée Rodin in Paris. Then, over 30 models walked down the runway in their respective dresses. This marked an emotional farewell from Valentino after his 50 years behind the brand. Following his 2026 death, his funeral was attended by fellow designers and celebrities such as Tom Ford, Donatella Versace, Anne Hathaway, and more.
Dontella Versace also stepped down as the chief creative officer of the iconic brand in early 2025, after nearly 30 years. She had taken over after the killing of her brother Gianni in 1997, who was the founder. While the step down was seemingly for a business decision, according to BBC, Versace still remains a thriving powerhouse and notable name in the fashion industry.
Imani Mir 28’ added her thoughts on the future evolution in high-end fashion. She responded to her thoughts on if a new designer were to enter the industry, and if their impact would be as historic as those in the past.
“I think that if a new designer came into the fashion world, it wouldn’t be as much of an impact as other legendary fashion houses, just because those brands have already made history in creating signature styles of clothing and making new pieces never seen before,” Mir answered.
Furthermore, Mir also gave her insight about whether we are seeing the end of the ‘designers are legends’ fashion era. “I would say no because most fashion designers have their own unique style specific to their brand, which appeals to different people, so they will continue to think of them as “legends” since they appeal to their taste more than other designers’ fashion that is more common and trendy.”
Lastly, she shared her thoughts about whether or not luxury fashion is dying out and being replaced by modern fashion. “I would say that luxury fashion is not dying out; there’s still a huge clientele for luxury fashion, and though fast fashion and micro trend clothing companies are growing and growing, I think that luxury and unique clothing pieces will always remain a big thing in the industry because of the people with high taste in fashion who continue to buy into it,” she concluded.
While fashion is continuously evolving, the history and mark that legendary designers have left on the world will always be remembered. From our closets to the stores, putting on the polos and sweaters of O’Dowd, to watching the red carpets dazzle, fashion is changing from its past, and we are here to watch it unfold.
