Giorgio Armani’s Death Leaves Olympic Champion In A Void As He Pens Heartfelt Message: “Remember The Phone Call”

“Milan, September 4, 2025 – With infinite condolences, the Armani group announces the passing of its inventor, founder, and tireless engine: Giorgio Armani,” read the caption of Giorgio Armani, the brand’s Instagram post. The world is mourning; Italy has lost a piece of its crown. And this Italian Olympic champion couldn’t help but look back at the old days.

“I remember that phone call like it was yesterday…I won’t go into detail, this is not the time, but I feel the need to thank him again. For everything. For believing in me. For teaching millions of people the value of work, the importance of attention to detail, the desire to always improve and to never settle,” meant Gianmarco Tamberi’s Italian caption of his recent Instagram post. The high jump Olympic gold medalist posted a picture with Giorgio Armani, paying tribute to the man. There was a second slide, too.

In that picture, the Olympic champion can be seen wearing a sharp black suit with a single-breasted blazer and matching trousers. Underneath, a bright red shirt with an open collar. “GIORGIO ARMANI,” read the text to his right. Tamberi was featured in Giorgio Armani’s Spring/Summer 2024 campaign, photographed by Carlijn Jacobs. Beyond the campaign, Tamberi attended several Armani events, including the Emporio Armani fashion show during Milan Fashion Week in 2024.

He added in the caption, “Thank you, Mr. Armani, for setting an example. For bringing Italy’s name into the world for decades, embodying elegance and style like no other. I hope I have lived up to the role that assigned me: for me it was, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest honors of my life.” Armani’s collaboration with Hollywood, particularly through costume design for films like American Gigolo, brought Italian style to international audiences.

His costumes for over 100 films, including The Untouchables, showcased Italian craftsmanship on the global stage. The Olympic gold medalist said Goodbye to the Italian legend with the words, “Once again… THANK YOU. A big hug to the whole Armani family. May you rest in peace. ❤️”  Armani is gone, but his works will live on forever.

And while many Olympians are mourning, the community will forever be thankful to the man for his contribution to the game, most recently at the Winter Olympics.

Giorgio Armani’s contribution to the Winter Olympics

Armani has maintained a long-standing connection with the Olympics, most recently creating the outfits for Italian athletes competing in the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Back in 2023, it was announced that EA7, the sports line Emporio Armani launched in 2004, would serve as the Official Outfitter of Team Italia. The brand dressed Italian athletes for the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024 and continued to outfit them for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano-Cortina 2026.

EA7 will also handle the formal clothing for the staff. “Milan, the Olympics and the Paralympics. I couldn’t imagine a more inspiring collaborative project, one that features the city that gave me so much and sport,” Armani shared in May.

The partnership with the Foundation comes from Giorgio Armani’s long-standing passion for supporting the Olympic and Paralympic world and the values it stands for, with the idea that fashion and sport can work together to make a positive impact on people’s lives.