Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani is known as one of the most celebrated and influential designers the country of Italy has ever produced. But it was only by chance that he broke into the fashion industry in the 60's when Armani launched his career as a window dresser at a large Milanese department store, called 'Il Rinascente'. He later revealed that he developed his classic and well-known style during this time, also following frequent trips to the UK.

"England was virtually the most important centre for inspiration to me," he says. "When I was working for 'Il Rinascente' we used to travel to London to get a look at the new styles, to see the shops, and to learn. I remember seeing some yellow cardigans in a small boutique and bringing them to 'Il Rinascente' and everyone thought I was crazy. Yellow cardigans were what the Duke of Windsor was about, they were not something for the average, everyday man. The entire idea of such clothing was so outré, so elitist... but very, very English."

In 1964, armed with an in-depth knowledge of fabric and design, he was taken on as a designer for designer Nino Cerruti's men's clothing company, 'Hitman'. Work at Ungaro and Zegna were soon to follow.

In 1974, Armani introduced his own menswear label, his first womenswear collection following a year afterwards.

Since 1975, Armani has overseen the launch of Giorgio Armani Junior, Underwear, Swimwear, Accessories and Eyewear. Capitalising on the cachet of his more exclusive label, he opened the first of a series of shops selling his cheaper diffusion lines, Emporio Armani and Armani Jeans, in 1981. In 2000, he added a new make-up range to his output, one that was specially designed by Pat McGrath.

Armani claims to base his inspiration on the everyday people he sees in the street, believing that clothes should be made to be worn not just seen, and also drawing on the skills he learned as a menswear designer to produce contemporary clothes for women also. The wide-shouldered power suit that was a trademark in the Eighties has today been softened into a more supple, practical silhouette and Armani's collections these days are elegant and understated. Indeed, the designer has often expressed a dislike of too flashy or important-looking clothes.
 

 

Find Fashion by Armani @ the following eshops: