Fashion may be a fluid industry that evolves with the times, but few designers were gutsy enough to break with the norms and endeavor to revolutionize it the way Piacenza, Italy, native Giorgio Armani did.
When he established his brand with his personal and professional partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, in 1975, Armani created jackets, evening dresses and other clothing that sharply departed from the form-fitting designs that his competitors were producing. Working with a subdued color palette and light fabrics, Armani instead pioneered power dressing. By the early 1980s, the designer was lauded for his sleek but relaxed-fit shirts in washed greens and beige tones for men and elegant, broad-shouldered suits for career-minded women. His collections were intended to fit naturally but confer a sense of confidence on the wearer, and the designs were just as luxurious as the garments that were gliding down Milanese catwalks at the time.
Armani, a shipping manager’s son, spent his childhood wanting to become a doctor, and he even studied medicine briefly at the University of Milan before dropping out and joining the army. In the late 1950s, he was hired as a window dresser at the Milan department store La Rinascente before moving into the role of menswear buyer. When he realized that his calling was in fashion design, not buying, he left La Rinascente to train at Nino Cerruti’s atelier and eventually began to take on what became a wealth of freelance design work.
At Galeotti’s urging, Armani opened his own design office in 1973, and two years later, he established his eponymous label of ready-to-wear for both men and women that challenged fashion’s traditional silhouettes and the conventions of tailoring.
“I was the first to soften the image of men and harden the image of women,” Armani has said of his early years. The designer dressed men in soft textures such as silk and linen that were traditionally relegated to feminine garments and designed power suits for women — an audacious and undeniably androgynous take on high fashion that was well received by critics. He won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1979 and launched a diffusion line called Armani Collezioni that year. While his collections for men and women gained legions of admirers in Europe, it wasn’t until the premiere of the film American Gigolo — featuring heartthrob Richard Gere exclusively outfitted in a crisp, sleek and sexy Armani wardrobe — that the brand took off in the United States.
Until his passing in 2025, Armani was still designing ready-to-wear collections, and the luxury house had also expanded over the years into home decor, hospitality and more. In February 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Armani was the first fashion house to close its runway shows to the public in order to limit exposure. In early 2022, the brand was among the first to cancel men’s and haute couture shows scheduled in January.
Find vintage Giorgio Armani clothing on 1stDibs.
Vintage Armani Collection Brooch, Flower with Crystals, Italy
By Giorgio Armani
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
A stunning silver-plated rose brooch adorned with crystal pavé, designed by the prestigious Italian haute couture house Armani Collection. A true statement of timeless elegance that ...
Giorgio Armani Rhinestone and Poured Glass Brooch
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A dazzling brooch by Giorgio Armani featuring three faceted poured glass opalescent pear shaped stones and three round cabochon surfaced stones embellished with a row of clear rhines...
$460Sale Price|20% Off
1980s GIORGIO ARMANI Grey and Creme Large Fish Brooch Pin with Rhinestones
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage GIORGIO ARMANI enamel and metal Large Fish Brooch with rhinestones.
Enamel
1960s Multi Color Enamel Diamond Gold Parrot Pin
Located in New York, NY
Made of 18k yellow gold, this pin features lovely enamel inlays and accentuated by dazzling diamond accents. The pin is stamped 18K. Inventory #96061PPSS
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Turquoise Ruby and Diamond Falcon Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning Victorian turquoise and 0.08 carat ruby, 0.06 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, silver set brooch with 15k gold pins; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a silver setting, and 15k yellow gold pins. One of the pins is ornamented with a silver setting to the upper border, modelled in the form of a three dimensional falcon. The falcon is embellished with a total of one hundred and thirty-nine pavé set cabochon cut turquoise. The bird's eyes and beak are accented with two bezel set rubies and two pavé set diamonds. The matching pin is ornamented with a French knot style 18k yellow gold motif to the upper border. The pin brooches connect via two spiga style chains. This antique Victorian brooch has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 18k gold and silver set, with 15k gold pins. The brooch is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone. Condition This stunning antique Victorian bird brooch is exceptional quality set with rubies, diamonds and turquoise. The brooch is an exceptional gauge of gold and is in excellent condition. Gemstone Quality Turquoise Quality Color Turquoise Cut Cabochon Ruby Quality Color Red Cut Cabochon Content 0.08 carat Diamond Quality Color (average grades) H Clarity (average grades) SI2 Cut Old Mine Content (total) 0.06 carat Dimensions Length of Falcon Setting 2.8cm/1.1" Width of Falcon Setting 9.25mm/0.36" Length of Falcon Pin...
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chanel Egyptian Scarab Beetle Brooch from 2019 Metiers D'art Collection
By Chanel
Located in Sewickley, PA
Chanel 19A Egypt Gold Scarab Brooch Paris - New York. This is a classic Scarab brooch with a Matte antique finish with the letters CHA & NEL across the top and CC logo in the c...
Parthian Gold Dress Pins, circa 3rd Century BC-3rd Century AD
Located in London, GB
Parthian gold dress pins. A matching pair of dress pins, each composed of a solid tapering pin with linear ridges to top, terminating in a discoid with engr...
Gold
$2,120
Chanel cameo brooch 1988
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal cameo with resin representing a winged horse. A 1988 Collection under the artistic direction Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good condition D...
Gilt Metal
Roger Jean Pierre Large Scale Depose Bouquet Brooch
By Roger Jean-Pierre
Located in New York, NY
Roger Jean Pierre large scale Depose bouquet brooch from the 1950's. The three dimensional silver plated wire work brooch is composed of three flowers of crystal and jet round and m...
Rhodium, Silver Plate, Brass, Bronze
Vintage Austrian Fischland Schmuck Statement Crystal Brooch 1950s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A spectacular work of wearable art. A huge Vintage Fischland Schmuck Statement Brooch. This mid-century Austrian crystal brooch is exquisitely ...
Mid Century Turquoise Dog Brooch 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
Little Friend This gorgeous mid century brooch is Italian origin 1950 ca Hand modelled of solid 18 kt gold like a fancy little dog, beautifully made, hand sculptured, the main body c...
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro 14k Rose Gold Sapphire Swirl Brooch, GIA Certified
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking vintage brooch from the 1940s, beautifully designed in the bold Retro style. Crafted in rich 14k rose gold, the piece features a dynamic swirl motif that reflects the era’...
Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
$1,695
H 0.75 in W 2 in
Egyptian Revival Lapis Lazuli Pharoah King Tut Enamel Brooch Pin Art Deco Silver
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare Art Deco Egyptian Revival masterpiece. The stunning brooch is centered by a magnificent hand carved Lapis Lazuli head of a Pharoah, or King Tut. The Lapis face refle...
Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Enamel
Art Nouveau Dragonfly Insect Moth Brooch Pin Butterfly Wing Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning Art Nouveau - Art Deco Dragonfly Insect Moth Brooch Pin with extraordinary iridescent Butterfly Wings set in Sterling Silver. The natur...
Sterling Silver
Emerald Diamond Gold Fly Brooch Pin
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Fly Pin Brooch; Hand crafted in 14k with Cabochon-Emerald Body and Diamond set Wings. **This item also available with Ruby, Sapphire or Gold body and head.**
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
1980s Giorgio Armani "Gio" Gold Plated Brooch
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Evoking the opulent glamour of the 1980s, this Giorgio Armani "Gio" gold-plated brooch captures the era's distinctive aesthetic. Its sleek yet sophisticated design, reminiscent of Ar...
Giorgio Armani 18K White Gold Borgonuovo Brooch - '20s
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This exquisite 18K white gold piece from Giorgio Armani will add a standout touch to your look. The delicate lines of the iconic logo are encrusted with sparkling diamonds, providing...
Giorgio Armani Black Glass Chandelier Prism Brooch, 1990s
By Giorgio Armani
Located in New York, NY
Presented is a large chandelier prism brooch by Giorgio Armani from the 1990s. Seven faceted black glass spikes with drilled tops intended for use on chandeliers are mounted onto a g...
Base Metal
Giorgio Armani Large Black Bead Brooch, 1990s
By Giorgio Armani
Located in New York, NY
A true statement piece and unique design is this brooch. It is comprised of four sizes of black resin beads individually threaded onto a pin and attached to a lightly domed round mesh top piece. The mesh dome is, in turn, set into a solid charcoal gunmetal grey rimmed disk. with a pin backing This brooch was purchased in Italy and part of a private collection of Giorgio Armani jewelry...
Base Metal
Giorgio Armani Abstract Flower Brooch
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Nice, FR
GIORGIO ARMANI massive abstract flower brooch made of molded resin, metal and mother of pearl. Marked GIORGIO ARMANI. Indicative measurements : width approx. 6 cm (2.36 inches)...