Giorgio Armani leaves a legacy not only as a seminal figure in the history of fashion, but also as a visionary business leader who built a globally recognized brand and multibillion-dollar business empire, industry experts said after his death Thursday at age 91.

"Armani made certain that his vision was consistent and that it was always classy, even down to presentation in the Armani Exchange stores," Shawn Grain Carter, an associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, told CBS MoneyWatch.

Re Giorgio, or "King George," as the Italians call him, Armani famously created luxury looks for Hollywood starlets on the red carpet while also producing stylish accessories and clothing for everyday consumers at casual price points.

Italian designer Giorgio Armani stands with models at

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