Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who has died aged 91, is being remembered for his philanthropy and long-standing connection to Antigua and Barbuda.
Armani, a frequent visitor to the twin-island nation for the past 20 years, maintained a private home at Galley Bay Heights. His friend and business partner, Jeff Hadeed, praised his generosity, noting a US$150,000 donation to rebuild Barbuda’s airport after Hurricane Irma.
Hadeed also highlighted Armani’s care for his staff, saying he continued paying them throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. “He was a very kind and honourable person… We developed a friendship over 20 years,” he added.
Globally, Armani was renowned for combining creative design with business acumen. His company reported annual revenues of 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion), and he was known for personally overseeing every detail of his collections.
Armani had been unwell and missed Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June for the first time in his career. A funeral chamber will be opened in Milan this weekend, with a private ceremony to follow.
