Giorgio Armani Opens Up About His Health Scare in WSJ.

By Véronique Hyland 05/23/12 at 02:00 PM

Giorgio Armani WSJ Magazine June

Photo courtesy of WSJ

Giorgio Armani fronts WSJ. Magazine’s June issue.

Giorgio Armani is feeling better than ever.

After a health scare in 2009, the designer is looking good on the cover of the new WSJ. magazine, and even posing shirtless for a spread that belies his 78 years. And from the looks of his tanned, toned physique, the designer is back in tip-top form.

Inside, Armani tells writer Alessandra Galloni that his bout with hepatitis was caused, ironically, by taking too many liquid health supplements. "My doctor told me: 'Get rid of all this s--t you're drinking,’" the designer recalls.

The illness forced him to rethink his business and consider a succession plan; he designated a group called I Fedeli ("The Faithful") that consists of trusted family members, including his nieces Roberta and Silvana Armani. However, rest assured the designer isn't planning on retiring anytime soon. “As long as I’m here, I’m the boss," he tells the magazine.

The article also captures Armani in happier moments: for example, instructing the models at his Emporio Armani show, "Don't walk like ostriches. Be elegant. Be happy," and scrapping with architect Jean-Michel Gathy over the design minutiae of the Armani-branded hotel in Marrakech.

For more Armani, read the full WSJ. profile here.