Giorgio Armani at Milan Fashion Week
At the Via Borgonuovo in Brera, the Armani name, synonymous with style, certainly captured the spirit of Spring and Summer with its liberating blend of spontaneity and elegance at Milan Fashion Week.
Giorgio Armani’s mainline SS20 for both men and women introduced a new wardrobe with a visual array of attitude where worlds, atmosphere, and cultures overlapped into a new harmony that may initially appear incidental on the surface. However, like the Armani motto states, “Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered” …it is obvious that these outfits would certainly be remembered and coveted.
The women’s ready-to-wear line gave appearances as if watching a Monet come to life…from the elegant sleeveless tops, one-shoulder ruffled top, the sophisticated pantsuits, the flowing pants, and dramatic dresses. Although staying true to shades of the Armani blue, the designer also blended in soft colors of grey, green, lilac, and pink. The images were as mesmerizing to watch as they appear to feel when wearing them.
The finale for his women’s line was a beautiful mixture of color and shine, with long flowing, yet form-fitting, dress with matching gemstone headpiece reminiscent of a deco-style ’20s-’30s model.
Reflecting on his male runway show earlier this year, the garment that summed up the Armani spirit for the men was the waistcoat, worn together with jackets, or in place of t-shirts and shirts. The fabrics, from linen to patterned jacquard, ranged in colors from red to grey, as well as the classic Armani blue. The women’s looks were from the Armani’s Resort collection, as presented in Tokyo the month before, and included fronds of coral-beaded jewelry as top-pocket ornaments from the same collection. Both men's and women's outfits on display promised a handiwork imparted with personality, character, and luxury.
All of the model’s hairstyles ranged from tightly coiffed twisted knots to natural teeny-weeny Afro on the women, and shoulder-length almost grunge looks to clean-cut or buzz-cut hairstyles on the men. Assorted Armani accessories also included various glamorous over-sized frames, pseudo-steel-punk, and colorful aviator sunglasses. Shoes ranged from various versions of Armani polished leather lace-ups and loafers to assorted sneakers for the men; and for the women, ranged from various ankle boots to heeled sandals, and comfortable loafers, and ballerinas. Men and women were often seen with a bag or clutch of various sizes and colors to match their wardrobe.
As the runway progressed, the collection tempered from suits into loosely fitting shirts in mixed patterns of blue and silver, patched-color sweaters mixed terry cotton with fine-gauge knit, and striped pants; all in various colors of blue, pink, red, gray, and olive, a more intense color than the usual Armani label. The designer even brought back the high notch-collared, belted jacket, a former design from his 45-year-career men’s catalog.
In the end, it is obvious to all that Giorgio Armani’s acclaimed accolades were not only fitting but also well deserved.
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