1957-64: Giorgio Armani works as a buyer for La Rinascente department stores.
1964-70: Giorgio Armani works as a designer for Hitman, Nino Cerruti’s men’s wear line.
1970: Giorgio Armani works as a freelance fashion designer.
1975: Giorgio Armani and Sergio Galeotti found Giorgio Armani SpA on July 24.
1978: Establishes License agreement with GFT (Gruppo Finanziario Tessile).
1979: Establishes Giorgio Armani Corp. USA.
1980: Signs beauty licensing agreement with L’Oréal.
1981: Opens the first Emporio Armani store (Milan).
1982: Giorgio Armani becomes the first fashion designer after Christian Dior to appear on the cover of Time magazine.
1982: First Giorgio Armani boutique opens (Milan).
1986: Opens first Armani Junior store (Milan).
1987: Establishes a joint venture in Japan.
1988: Signs license agreement with Luxottica Group SpA.
1989: First Emporio Armani Express restaurant opens in London.
1989: Initial acquisition of Simint SpA.
1990: Acquires share control in Antinea Srl.
1990: Initial acquisition of Intai SpA.
1991: Opens first A|X Armani Exchange store (SoHo, New York).
1996: Acquires share control in Simint.
1997: Opens first Giorgio Armani Collezioni stores (Milan, London, Tokyo).
1997: Opens first Armani Jeans store (Rome).
1998: Acquires share control in Intai SpA.
1999: Creates new Accessories Division.
1999: Starts e-commerce with armaniexchange.com in the U.S.
2000: Acquires manufacturing facilities of Armani Collezioni men’s line and control of sales and distribution of the Armani Collezioni and Mani labels in the United States.
Related Galleries
2000: Launches Giorgio Armani global Web site, including giorgioarmani.com, armanicollezioni.com, emporioarmani.com, armanijeans.com, armaniexchange.com, armaniparfums.com, armanipress.com.
2000: Establishes a joint venture with the Zegna Group (51 percent Armani, 49 percent Zegna) for the production and distribution of the Armani Collezioni men’s line.
2000: Opens first Armani Casa store (Milan).
2000: Opens Armani /Via Manzoni 31, including Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Casa, Sony Gallery, Parfums, Emporio Armani Caffé, Nobu, Arte, Fiori, Libri.
2001: Establishes a joint venture company with Vestimenta SpA for the production and distribution of the men’s and women’s Giorgio Armani lines.
2001: Opens first Giorgio Armani Accessori store (Milan).
2001: Presents the new Armani/Teatro in Milan designed by architect Tadao Ando.
2001: Successfully completes acquisition of apparel manufacturer Simint.
2002: Starts e-commerce with Emporio Armani watches with giorgioarmani.com in the U.S.
2002: Completes acquisition of Reggio Emilia-based knitwear manufacturer, Deanna SpA.
2002: Acquires share control of Guardi SpA, a factory specializing in the production of women’s and men’s shoes.
2002: Opens Armani/Chater House, Hong Kong, including Emporio Armani, AJ|Armani Jeans, Emporio Armani Caffé, Armani Libri, Armani Fiori and Giorgio Armani Cosmetics areas.
2003: The Armani Group awards Safilo SpA a multiyear license for the worldwide production and distribution of its Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani eyewear collections.
2003: Opens Armani/Privé (Milan), an exclusive lounge bar created within Armani/Manzoni 31 store.
2003: Opens Armani/Funf Hofe in Munich, the third multibrand store including Emporio Armani, AJ/Armani Jeans, Emporio Armani Caffé, Armani Armani Fiori Libri, Armani Dolci and Giorgio Armani Cosmetics areas.
2004: The Armani Group awards Wolford AG, a multiyear license for the worldwide production and distribution of a new line of Giorgio Armani hosiery and bodywear.
2004: Giorgio Armani SpA and EMAAR Properties PJSC sign a letter of intent
to establish a worldwide collection of Armani luxury hotels and resorts.
2004: Opens Armani/Three on the Bund in Shanghai, the fourth multibrand store including Giorgio Armani boutique, Emporio Armani, Emporio Armani Caffé, Armani Fiori and Armani Dolci areas.
2005: Debut of Armani Privé couture collection in Paris.