Milan, Sept. 4 -- Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who transformed minimalist elegance into a global fashion empire, has died at 91, his fashion house confirmed.

Armani passed away at home, ending a career that spanned five decades and helped shape contemporary style.

The designer, who missed Milan Fashion Week earlier this year due to ill health, had been planning a celebration of 50 years of his namesake label during this month's shows.

Building an empire

Giorgio Armani storefront in Vienna, Austria. (Photo: wikipedia.org)

Armani revolutionised fashion in the late 1970s with a relaxed silhouette built on unlined jackets, simple trousers and a muted palette.

That signature look propelled Italian ready-to-wear onto the world sta...