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.
$512Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
$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
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...
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Long-Tailed Bird Brooch
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This gorgeous bird will be the highlight of any outfit! 14 karat yellow gold bird in flight with long tail 2 small round diamonds for eyes Brooch is approximately 2.375 inches (beak ...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Victorian Topaz Pendant Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Topaz Pendant Brooch set in 10k gold. Simple, elegant design of oval and round sherry colored topazes set into almost invisible crow...
Topaz, 10k Gold
$1,295
H 1.75 in W 1.5 in
Lapponia Brooch Man and Child Björn Weckström Finland Modernist Man From Mercury
By Björn Weckström for Lapponia
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning brooch by Björn Weckström for Lapponia Jewelry, from the Space Series, the vintage modernist sculptural sterling silver Man and Child brooch...
Sterling Silver
$7,432
H 0.26 in W 1.18 in L 1.17 in
Antique 1930s Platinum Bow Brooch, 2.85ct Diamond, Excellent Condition
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 1930s 2.85 carat diamond and platinum brooch in the form of a bow; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique diamond brooch has been crafted in platinum. The brooch has been modelled in the form of a three-dimensional tied ribbon bow. The two platinum settings composing the bow loops are embellished with forty-two pavé set transitional modern brilliant round cut diamonds, in addition to a further six diamonds to the interior. The cut tails of the bow are ornamented with a further forty-three pavé set transitional modern brilliant round cut diamonds, paralleling the flowing nature of the ribbon. Both the bow loops and tails settings incorporate scalloped pierced decoration, enhancing the texture of the article. The bow's knot features six transitional modern brilliant round cut diamonds, completing the design. The brooch secures to the reverse with a hinged pin and clasp. This stunning antique bow brooch is hallmarked to the reverse with the mark for platinum (PLAT). This antique diamond bow brooch...
Diamond, Platinum
$8,121
H 0.37 in W 1.61 in L 1.69 in
Boucheron 1950s Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage French 0.16 carat emerald, 0.25 carat ruby, 0.15 carat sapphire, 0.18 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold brooch by 'Boucheron'; part of our diverse gemstone jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive vintage gemstone brooch...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1.25 Carat Old Mine Diamond Yellow Gold Half Moon Brooch
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Antique Half moon brooch featuring 19 old mine cut diamonds with an estimated total weight of 1.25 carats set in 18 karat yellow gold. Metal Type: 18...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chanel Cruciform Byantine Brooch, Property of Coco Chanel
By Coco Chanel /Maison Goossens
Located in Riverdale, NY
Chanel's appropriation of Byzantine and Renaissance forms continued throughout her career, often in the form of oversized cruciform brooches and pendants. This one is set in bronz...
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
$24,000
H 1.75 in W 2 in D 0.13 in L 16 in
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold 0.82 Carat Diamond Lapis, Coral & MOP Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18kt yellow gold pendant/brooch is set with 0.82 carat of round diamonds, as well as coral, mother of pearl and lapis lazuli. It can be worn...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, 18k ...
Hermès Vintage Silver Knot Brooch, Twisted Rope Design, 800/1000 Silver
By Hermès
Located in Nice, FR
HERMES vintage silver knot brooch featuring a twisted rope-like design. The twisted, rope‑like construction recalls HERMES historic fascination with harness details, nautical knots ...
Silver
$1,275 / item
Small Opal Brooch
Located in Milano, MI
Small brooch set on yellow gold with white opals, the perfect piece of jewellery for a minimalist. Small defects on one opal. Highlights - 18ct yellow gold - Cabochon cut White Opal...
Opal, 18k Gold
Monet Gilded Gold Vermeil Hardware "Bumble Bee" Brooch
By Monet
Located in New York, NY
Monet wonderfully detailed gilded gold vermeil hardware "Bumble Bee" brooch is accented with detailed etching and wings resembling a set of musical harps...
Victorian Horse Head Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Horse Head Stickpin designed as a miniature staff. The finely detailed horse's head is sterling with a rose cut diamond eye. The hilt below h...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
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)...