The Tamesis
Giorgio Armani passed away in September 2025, leaving behind an unwavering fashion legacy. From loose suiting to predominantly gray tones, the Armani aesthetic (now inherited by Silvana Armani and Leo Dell’Orco) is as recognized and embraced in 2026 as it was in the designer’s heyday. Many of the biggest names in fashion have spent their entire careers pursuing timeless ideas. The second part of the Armani/Archivio project only proves that Armani has solidified his position. “I believe there is nothing more radical than classics, because in fashion it is almost a revolutionary act to resist the passage of time,” says Silvana Armani Fashion.
Founded by Armani himself in preparation for the brand’s 50th anniversary, Armani/Archivio’s first chapter served primarily as a large-scale cataloging project. More than 200 physical collections (30,000 items spanning 50 years) have been digitized and become part of a publicly accessible online library that examines Armani as a language and a brand. “Giorgio is not nostalgic and does not like to look back to the past, but he is also aware of the value of his journey – which is why he wanted this bridge between the past and the future to exist,” said Dell’Orco, who has experienced his own wave of nostalgia and rediscovered many of the collections he designed. “All of our stylistic research stems from the idea of creating something that is not ephemeral or forgettable, but something that lasts over time and has substance.”
In addition to Chapter 1’s digital archive, Mr. Armani hand-selected a small number of carefully preserved pieces from his collection between 1987 and 2016 to form a mini-exhibition that travels from the brand’s boutique in Venice to other flagships around the world. Physical objects from the archive are also produced and sold, providing customers with a piece of the brand’s history.
