The Most Iconic Armani Looks Worn By Celebs

Giorgio Armani will go down in history as one of the most legendary designers of our time. The Italian designer died on September 4, 2025 at the age of 91, solidifying his name and empire as a force in fashion. Armani was famous for his fearless vision, his relentless work ethic and drive, as well as his commitment to timeless style. "I am tired of hearing about trends. They are nothing. I want to improve the woman who lives now," he said after his Emporio Armani show in February 2020. Fads with expiration dates were the bane of his existence; instead, Armani was after eternal style 

Armani's talent and eye for fashion remained strong throughout his life. While he was famous for his formal wear — his gowns and tuxedos were masterpieces — Armani was also skilled at creating looks that worked both on and off the red carpet by playing with alternative styles. He put women in menswear, making the suit a piece of art on anyone who wore it. He fostered relationships with people, evidenced by the fact that certain stars have gravitated towards the designer again and again over the years. This speaks to a sense of loyalty. With that loyalty in mind, we're looking back at some of those special looks that will go down in history as Armani's triumphs. 

Giorgio Armani was ahead of his time, and this was clear as far back as 1978, when Diane Keaton won Best Actress at the Academy Awards, posing alongside fellow winner, Richard Dreyfuss. Armani dressed her in a whimsical pairing of an oversized blazer and voluminous skirt, complete with a scarf and pink flower on the lapel. His play on women in menswear created inspiration for decades to come. That trend is still thriving today, with countless photos online of celebrity women in menswear outfits that will inspire you to raid your boyfriend's closet. 

Giorgio Armani could make magic happen on a wedding day. When Katie Holmes married Tom Cruise in Italy in 2006, Armani was instrumental in making the day so dreamy. Holmes wore two different Armani Prive wedding gowns that day — one for the ceremony and one for the reception — while Cruise's suit was also by the Italian designer. In fact, Armani was there on the day of their wedding to oversee the bridal party's attire. Armani was able to balance a classical wedding style with a contemporary edge. While the marriage didn't last, Armani's relationship with Holmes certainly did, and he dressed her repeatedly over the years for red carpet events. The fact that Holmes, who's a fashion icon with a clear, sartorial philosophy, has remained close with Armani speaks to his collaborative relationships with his clients. 

For the 2008 Met Gala, which followed the theme "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," Giorgio Armani styled Victoria Beckham in a white lace dress. The red carpet gown featured a high slit and a popped collar, along with long sleeves. Armani's vision for Beckham that night was so successful that the dress landed a place on Forbes list of the most unforgettable Met Gala dresses of all time. Considering how many prestigious designers dress stars for the Met Galas, that's some high praise.  

Anne Hathaway has worn some outfits that have fallen totally flat, but never when she wore something by Giorgio Armani. When she hosted the 2011 Academy Awards, Armani dressed the star in an Armani Prive liquid blue dress. The look was remarkable for its playful combination of futuristic material in a classical, gown cut. The off-the-shoulder design, along with the column skirt, was timeless with a healthy jolt of the avant-garde. It was a huge fashion moment for Hathaway, too, as the dress has gone down in history as one of her best looks ever. 

When Cate Blanchett won the 2014 Oscar for her performance in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine," she accepted her award in a sheer gown by Giorgio Armani. The incredible gown featured sheer shoulders, a long tulle skirt amplified by a crinoline border, and glitz from sequins and Swarovski crystal beading. The gown was so incredible that it solidified Blanchett as a best-dressed star, but it also created a new wave of nude-inspired gowns. Even today, the sheer trend dominates, from pops of skin to fearless transparency, thanks to Armani kicking off the emboldened style. 

Rihanna absolutely stole the show at the 2017 Grammy Awards in a dramatic outfit that only Giorgio Armani could have created. She wore an orange crop top that showed off her chest tattoos, along with a black, organza maxi skirt. The dreamy outfit was majestic and edgy at once. What made the look so iconic was Armani's incorporation of a bralette-style top, a trend that quickly took off after this event and has remained trendy ever since. It was the beginning of lingerie-as-outerwear, balanced by the volume of the skirt.

Michelle Yeoh was unforgettable at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards in a midnight blue strapless gown by Giorgio Armani. Crystals and sequins added glitz and charm, while the shape of the dress combined two styles in one. The first, shorter portion featured thigh-length ruffles overtop of a second, column-layer skirt. The innovative design of the gown was not lost on anyone, and layering trends quickly picked up that played on Armani's vision here with skirts overtop of other skirts, and skirts over pants, echoing this incredible dress. 

Serena Williams hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards in a custom Giorgio Armani Privé black gown. The playful construction of the dress made it iconic. At its most elemental, the gown was a strapless, black dress, but Armani added dazzle by incorporating a bra-effect bedazzled in gold Swarovski crystals. He kept this embellishment consistent with a Swarovski crystal trim along the train. The genius of Armani was that he morphed his designs based on who he was dressing. The athletic undercurrent of Williams' elegant gown, thanks to the sports bra-style top, paid homage to her legacy as a tennis star, while still keeping her red carpet look elevated and iconic. 

Lupita Nyong'o stole the show in a blue feather gown by Giorgio Armani at the 2024 Oscars. The plunging neckline, the feather trip around the waist and hem, as well as the sequin glitter created a dazzling effect. But what made the gown so special was that Armani paid homage to the blue gown that Nyong'o wore to the Oscars ten years prior, when she won the 2014 award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "12 Years a Slave." While the previous gown was by Prada, Armani honored Nyong'o's sartorial history by taking inspiration from that special night. 

Never one to miss a playful moment with menswear, Giorgio Armani dressed Jessica Williams in a perfectly tailored navy Giorgio Armani suit with a blue tie and white button down shirt for the 2025 Venice Film Festival. What started decades earlier with Diane Keaton's love of menswear, made sumptuous by Armani, continued all the way up to the present day. Armani played with sizing by putting Williams in an oversized blazer and loose, tailored trousers. Williams raved about the look on Instagram, posting: "Thank you @giorgioarmani for the Bond suit of my dreams." She also credited the Armani beauty team for her extraordinary glam that night.