Giorgio Armani turns 88 today. The undisputed King of Italian fashion celebrates another important milestone. Countless of his successes over the years that have made him an icon of style, elegance, craftsmanship, recognized and appreciated all over the world. Armani revolutionized the concept of clothing by bringing on the catwalk a jacket with a masculine shape made with soft fabrics, perfect to be worn by women as well. His fashion, always rigorous and never subjected to the rules of the market, made him the protagonist of Italian high fashion.
A dream come true
Giorgio Armani was born in Piacenza on 11 July 1934. He was a teenager when he moved with his family to Milan, after having overcome the atrocities of the war and many difficulties. After graduating from the Leonardo Da Vinci high school, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at the State University of Milan, but interrupted his studies to carry out military service and never took them up again. In 1960 he was hired by the Rinascente, which became for him a training ground for life. The apprenticeship is long but essential because it allows him to acquire the skills necessary to later found his empire.
In 1965, Nino Cerrutic he senses the great passion and talent that Armani has for fashion and wants it to design the men's collection Hitman. Giorgio's dream of establishing himself in the world of high fashion is about to become reality. In 1975, together with Sergio Galeotti, he founded the company that bears his name and that he will make known all over the world. From that moment on it is a crescendo of recognition.
Loved by the stars
In 1978, Diane Keaton collected the Oscar for best actress wearing a Giorgio Armani suit jacket and trousers. In 1980 she dresses the actor Richard Gere in the unforgettable film "American Gigolo". Two years later, she gets a cover on the weekly Times. In the years that followed, his climb to success was unstoppable. Armani conquers market shares, expands also creating eyewear, sportswear, watches, underwear, perfumes, restaurants, hotels. Found new brands.
The Armani lines
In 1981, he created “Emporio Armani”, a line designed for the new generations and the masses. Today there are several lines launched by King George: Armani Privè, Giorgio Armani, A / X Armani Exchange, as well as a hotel chain, the perfumery and accessories line, Armani casa. The designer has also created Armani Silos, a museum created on the occasion of the Milan Expo that contains his entire story. Always attentive to the needs of a constantly evolving society, he literally dressed women starting with his legendary jackets, deconstructed and unlined.
From the androgynous style, they were the starting point of a new concept of femininity, centered on character and far from stereotypes. Her favorite color is blue, always present in the collections, but also “greige”, halfway between gray and beige.
Armani Silos, the history of high fashion
Armani Silos was opened by the designer on April 30, 2015, in Via Bergognone 40, to celebrate his 40-year career. The space was born from the renovation of a warehouse for the conservation of cereals, dating back to 1950. Today it extends over four levels, occupying an area of approximately 4500 square meters. Inside is the history of high fashion. It starts from the ground floor, with the Daywear section, in which clothes and accessories are divided following the themes that inspired King Giorgio's creative work. In the initial section some clothes worn by movie stars are exhibited.
The second floor hosts the chromatic section where reds are the protagonists, in combination with black, the blues of Tuareg wools, the white of geometric designs, the black of male and female tuxedos. On the third floor there is the section dedicated to Light, in which soft colors and transparencies predominate.
A noble heart
In 2015, Forbes listed him as one of the richest men in the world, with an estimated worth of $ 7,6 billion. In 2020, during the coronavirus emergency, Armani donated 2 million euros to hospitals in difficulty. To help healthcare workers tackle the pandemic, it has also converted its manufacturing facilities to produce disposable gowns. What can I say, Armani remains an example of absolute class, in fashion and in life. Long live him and his extraordinary creativity. Best wishes!
(Photo: Giorgio Armani Official Site)
