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.
Armani Exchange Gold-Tone Leather Strap Watch
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Amman, JO
Armani Exchange Gold-Tone Leather Strap Watch Sleek and refined, this Armani Exchange women's watch is the perfect balance of modern minimalism and timeless style. Featuring a clean...
Gold Plate
14K Gold and Diamond Omega Constellation Watch Vintage
By Omega
Located in Bradenton, FL
A vintage 14k yellow gold (tested), Omega Constellation wrist watch with round brilliant cut diamond numerals, approx. .16 carats. The diamond hour markers further elevate this beaut...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Audemars Piguet Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
Brand: Audemars Piguet Collection: Royal Oak Offshore Movement Type: Automatic – Caliber 3126/3840 Case Material: 18K White Gold Diamond Setting: Diamonds across the watch – inc...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time Preowned Custom Wrist Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Florence, IT
Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Reference number: 26120ST.OO.1220ST.03 Model: Royal Oak Dual Time Diameter: 39 mm Color Custom: Black Material: ...
Stainless Steel
$2,500
W 0.57 in L 0.57 in
Vintager Square Face 18k Gold and Diamond and Ceylon Sapphire Ladys Wrist Watch
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage 18k gold ladies wrist watch, square face with gold weave chain band with diamond and ceylon sapphire encrusted details, clasp closure with security chain, stamped and numbere...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$22,800
H 0.99 in W 0.67 in
Cartier Panthere Mini Diamond 18K White Gold Watch with Certificate and Box
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Panthère de Cartier Mini (ref. 2363) delivers timeless elegance in a refined, compact form. Crafted in gleaming high-polish 18 karat white gold, the 25mm x 17mm case features...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Concord Swiss Full Diamond 18K Gold Ladies Watch
By Concord Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and luxurious Concord ladies' Les Palais wristwatch features a 21mm solid 18k yellow gold case and bracelet set with glittering original Concord factory diamonds. The watch features reliable Swiss quartz movement. The classic round watch face is fully pavé-set with fine natural white diamonds (G to H color/VS clarity) on both the bezel and the dial. The dial features elegant gold-tone hands and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is in excellent condition. The case features inverted diamond-set crown for ease of time setting. The shimmering diamond brilliance continues seamlessly from watch face across its diamond-set lugs to the full-length of its five-row graceful bracelet. Double-deployant clasp keeps the watch secure on the wrist. There are approximately 6 carats of diamonds in total set in this opulent watch. The watch fits a wrist size of up to 6.6 inches (16.85cm), while links can conveniently be removed to accommodate smaller wrist sizes. The watch dial, movement, case, and bracelet are all signed Concord. Additionally, the caseback is engraved with watch reference number and case serial number, along with the stamp for 18 karat gold. The watch is in overall excellent condition and comes with a fitted watch box. A testament to high-quality Swiss watchmaking and radiating luxurious elegance this watch is certain to light up the wrist. Further details: Model: Concord Les Palais...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,500
H 1.3 in W 1.3 in Dm 1.3 in
Eterna Eternamatic Centenaire Vintage 1950's 18K Yellow Gold Mens Watch
By Eterna
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
A beautiful and rare, time capsule Eterna 18k gold watch with matching 18k gold bracelet. Original box, hang tag, very good/excellent condition-unpolished, inside case free of jewelers marks...
18k Gold
Hermes Watch Nantucket Rose Gold 18k Small Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Nantucket Small Model watch featured in 18k Rose Gold. This beautiful watch is the 29 mm small model with Rose Gold bracelet. White Mother of Pearl dial w...
Rose Gold
NAUTICA, Watch 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
NAUTICA, Chronograph Code N 16566G Movement quartz chronograph Case stainless steel Ø 47 mm Dial black Features original leather band With original box
Steel
Chopard Happy Sport watch Model number 27/8349-23
By Chopard
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
Chopard Happy Sport watch Model number 27/8349-23. Watch details: Brand: Chopard Collection: Happy Sport Model number: 27/8349-23 Case material: Stainless steel Dial: White Year: 20...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Ruby and Diamond Swiss Quartz Movement Watch in 18 Karat White Gold
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A stunning work of wearable art, this one-of-a-kind Swiss Quartz movement ruby and diamond watch in 18 karat gold by Dilys’ represents the brand’...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Inspired Diamond Swiss Quartz Movement Watch in 18 Karat Gold
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Inspired by the Art Deco movement, Dilys’ exceptional Swiss quartz movement diamond watch in 18 karat gold exhibits beautiful intricacy with deta...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Giorgio Milano Stainless Steel Chronograph Quartz Men's Watch 885ST022
By Giorgio Armani
Located in New York, NY
Giorgio Milano Stainless Steel Chronograph Quartz Mens Watch 885ST022 Comes with original box & manual Brand Giorgio Milano Model Number 885ST022 Movement Type Quartz (Battery) Case ...