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Giorgio Armani, the founder of the luxury Italian fashion brand that bears his name, says he is planning to retire within the next two or three years.
The 90-year-old Italy's most famous fashion designer had previously declined to discuss the company's succession plans.
Since founding his empire about 50 years ago, he has maintained solid control over it.
Armani told the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera: "I can still give myself two or three years as head of the company. Not more, it would be negative."
When pushed on whether he'd stay longer, he said he would not, before adding: "I can't sleep at night. I no longer know the deep and peaceful sleep I once had. Now I dream at night, and in my dreams, I build my future."
He stated that "for the moment I do not see any openings" but acknowledged that he has had "slightly more insistent" approaches from possible outside investors in his business.
He told the Italian publication that he had "built a kind of structure, a project, a protocol" to control his succession, but he did not go into detail."
He was keen to preserve the company's future independence.
Before leaving his studies to enlist in the army, Armani studied medicine. After establishing his business in 1975 and transitioning to window dressing and sales, he made his first debut with ready-to-wear designs under his name the following year.
A favorite on red carpets, Armani has collaborated with some celebrities throughout the years, such as Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton, and Richard Gere.
