Donatella Versace has joined scores of mourners in Milan to pay respects to legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani as his body lies in state.
The Italian billionaire died at home surrounded by his family on Thursday at the age of 91.
Fellow fashion icon Ms Versace, 70, wore a dark skirt suit and left a bouquet of white flowers when she visited the Armani Theatre to pay tribute on Saturday, where the casket of Mr Armani lies surrounded by candles.
Other notable attendees included Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala, who was among the first to arrive, along with film directors Gabriele Salvatores and Giuseppe Tornatore, Angela Missoni; daughter of late Italian designer Rosita Missoni; and other high-end designers and business people.
Outside the theatre, Mr Sala told reporters: “A man of extraordinary elegance. Milan is full of signs of Armani. It will be impossible to forget him.”
Pic: Reuters
The line of mourners stretched back down the block some two hours after the theatre opened, as some said they travelled for several hours to go and pay their respects.
Among them was Annamaria Longo Dorni, from Lago Maggiore, north of Milan, who wore an Armani midnight blue jacket for the occasion.
“You put it on, and you’re perfect,” she said as she waited. “It’s always up to date, even after 20 years.”
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At the viewing chamber, a photo of the designer smiling and waving was projected on the back wall, along with his parting words which read: “The mark I hope to leave is one of commitment, respect and genuine care for people and for reality. That’s where everything truly begins.”
The view from inside the theatre, where Armani’s casket lies below his parting quote. Pic: Reuters
The public viewing will continue until Sunday evening, before Mr Armani is buried following a private funeral on Monday.
Other celebrities including Ralph Lauren, Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour and Leonardo DiCaprio have paid tribute in messages.
Mr Armani did not appear at his runway shows in Milan for the first time ever in June as he recovered from an unknown illness, but he later revealed he “oversaw every aspect of the show remotely via video link”.
In a statement after his death, his fashion house said he was “indefatigable to the end,” working until his final days.