The death of fashion designer Giorgio Armani has struck a chord with many of Hollywood's greats.
Armani's name has become synonymous with the red carpet, thanks to his close relationship with the stars.
In 1978, just three years after the Armani brand formed, a young Diane Keaton sported a Giorgio Armani outfit featuring a tailored double-breasted jacket as she accepted an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Annie Hall.
Two years later, he created the wardrobe for 1980 film American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton, starting what would become a harmonious relationship between Armani and Hollywood's stars.
Armani suits are donned by the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean's Thirteen.
Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner and Sean Connery in The Untouchables.
Christian Bale in The Dark Knight Rises.
Blurring the lines between masculine and feminine
Hollywood's stars frequently turned to Armani for the red carpet, with the suit silhouette popular with the women he dressed.
Armani told The Guardian in 2020 he was a rule breaker in terms of design, but never sought to be a revolutionary.
"I liberated people from uncomfortable tailoring and at the same time blurred the lines between what was considered to be "masculine" and "feminine" clothing and style," he said.
"My ultimate goal is to create clothes that celebrate the individual, almost disappearing when worn to allow the wearer's personality to emerge first," Armani told Vogue in 2024.
Friend among the stars
Armani's beloved red carpet looks were often credited to his close connection with the stars he dressed.
"It was a mutual attraction that created a lasting dialogue," Armani wrote in the introduction of Dijanna Mulhearn's book Red Carpet Oscars.
"Prior to that, fashion designers and international red-carpet occasions rarely crossed paths … These men and women turned to me, immediately intuiting that a new natural and essential elegance could help increase their star power without slipping into anachronistic excesses."
Many have written tributes for the designer.
Russell Crowe said Armani made a "deep contribution" to fashion, design and popular culture.
"His energy, vision and finesse has made a mark acknowledged around the globe," Crowe said.
"I adored him. He was so kind."
Michelle Pfeiffer and Armani's friendship began with a rocky start. When he first offered to dress in the actress in the 1980s she famously responded: "I can dress myself, and who is Giorgio Armani?"
She soon relented, becoming part of the group of actresses wearing Armani at the 1990 Academy Awards, which became known as the "Armani Awards."
Pfeiffer described Armani as kind, generous and loyal.
"A true pioneer of elegance. A global inspiration. And today, a massive loss for all," she wrote on Instagram.
"Thank you for everything Mr. Armani, it was an honor and privilege to work with you on so many momentous occasions in my life and to witness your craft firsthand."
Leonardo Di Caprio said Armani was a "visionary whose influence reached far beyond design".
"He was a legendary force who inspired generations, and his legacy will continue to shape and uplift the world for years to come," Di Caprio wrote.
Martin Scorcesse, who directed the documentary about Armani titled Made in Milan, said Armani was more than a clothing designer.
"He was a real artist, and a great one — people use the term 'timeless' quite often, but in his case it happens to be true," Scorsese said.
"There's nothing hip or tied to the moment in Giorgio's designs.
"They're genuinely elegant, inside and out, and they aren't meant to be gazed at on a runway. They're for people to wear, to enhance their own individual sense of natural elegance."
Abstract creations
While Armani is most famous for his suits and somewhat muted colour palette, he did not stray from playing with colour and shape.
His work often took inspiration from the ocean and could be seen in his use of fabrics that glimmered like ocean tides.
"To me, style is not about being noticed," Armani told Vogue.
"It's about being remembered."
