As a young editor at @gq magazine in the 1980’s, I attended my very first @giorgioarmani fashion show. Armani always showed last on the Milan calendar. It was the build-up to the week. We saw so many good clothes over the course of our week in Milan, but the GA show was simply the best. Giorgio was greatly influenced by the films of the 1920’s and 1940’s, and recently having poured himself into costuming legendary films such as American Gigolo and The Untouchables, and later Goodfellas. But it was his magic sartorial touch that completely modernized menswear and the culture of wearing a suit. The Armani swagger was confident, luxurious, sexy and soft. He captured the essence of Neapolitan tailoring but made it more fluid, by taking out the shoulder pads and structure of the suits whilst building in a new shape. This was, as we coined it in GQ, “The Armani Revolution”. That style template continued for decades, continually inspiring everyone, including his contemporaries. Leaving those shows, I was awestruck by the sinewy sexiness and sophistication of those garments, done in luxurious and indescribable color palettes. Giorgio was a private person. He knew how to balance life. Yes, he was a workaholic (how could he not be?) but his rigor for the job flowed into his love of the people surrounding him—a very tight group of friends and family. Whenever we would see each other, he would touch my face with a deep appreciation for my support and long withstanding friendship. I will miss him dearly. Armani gave menswear, and men, a chance to break free from the constraints of rigidness and created a new respect (and appreciation) for wearing a suit. His influence will live on for many years to come, on designer’s mood boards and in men’s closets. Giorgio Armani will never be forgotten and will always be iconic. My love, prayers and blessings go out to Giorgio’s family, friends and coworkers who had the extreme privilege to work next to a true master. I will never forget going backstage and seeing his perpetually-tan and smiling face, both of us filled with excitement and gratitude. ❤️❤️❤️