Rome, Sept 9, (dpa/GNA) – A small circle of family, friends and close collaborators, gathered to bid farewell to legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, at a private funeral on Monday in Rivalta, near his birthplace of Piacenza in northern Italy.
Among those attending were Armani’s life and business partner Leo Dell’Orco, his sister, nieces and nephew.
Armani, who died last Thursday at the age of 91, had been publicly mourned over the weekend at his casket, which was put on display at the Armani headquarters in Milan.
Thousands of mourners paid their respects, including designer Donatella Versace, Fiat heir John Elkann, and composer Ludovico Einaudi.
Rivalta was closed to tourists and visitors for several hours before the service at a church in the small town. As the casket was brought to the church in the afternoon, onlookers lined the streets and applauded.
In tribute to Armani’s life and legacy, all Armani stores worldwide closed from 3 pm on Monday until the end of the day.
GNA