The legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died, the company he founded said Thursday. He was 91.

“It is with deep sadness that the Armani Group shares the news of the passing of its visionary creator, founder, and relentless leader: Giorgio Armani,” declared the fashion company.

The statement continued, saying he “died peacefully, surrounded by his family.” It noted his tireless work ethic, mentioning that he remained dedicated to the business, its fashion lines, and various ongoing projects right up to the end of his life.

Armani had been ill for a while, and his absence from Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week in June marked the first instance in his career that he missed a runway show. His last public appearance was on May 21.

Called “Re Giorgio,” which translates to King Giorgio, he started his brand in 1975, and it quickly became synonymous with elegant and understated fashion, a style that influenced all areas of life, according to the statement.

The brand gained significant attention in 1980, thanks to designing the suits worn by Richard Gere in “American Gigolo.” It then transformed into a worldwide empire encompassing everything from high-end couture to everyday fashion, eyewear, footwear, and even home goods.

In line with Armani’s wishes, his funeral will be a private affair. However, the public is invited to the wake, taking place at the dramatic Teatro Armani, the Milan headquarters and show venue, on Saturday and Sunday.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, paid tribute to the designer’s “elegance, sobriety, and creativity,” through which “he was able to bring luster to Italian fashion and inspire the entire world.”

She called him “an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy. Thank you for everything.”

Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister who is from Armani’s hometown of Milan, called him “a figure of Italian excellence recognized and admired throughout the world” and “an unsurpassed master of style and creativity.”