The headline of Milan fashion week could be that timeless chic is in after Giorgio Armani wrapped up proceedings on Sunday afternoon, reminding us that he is the king of fashion in lasting style.
“Timelessness is an essential element of my aesthetic approach and a core value for my brand,” said the designer. “And that is not going to change anytime soon.”
Many of Milan’s biggest names, including Gucci, Ferragamo and Dolce & Gabbana, also made a point – and successfully – to dig into their archives this season. For Armani, his velvet boleros, pleated trousers and sequined tunics celebrated the familiar, with suede jackets and a wool anorak lending fresh silhouettes to his eponymous label.
It has to be assumed that the stylist unintentionally referenced Rihanna’s makeup onstage as she headlined the recent Super Bowl halftime show, when he sent the latest model down the runway admiring herself in the reflection of her compact. While celebrities on the runway and shock tactics might work for other brands, Armani is determined to make its clothes do the talking.
“Like anyone else, I feel the pressure, but at the same time I think my strength comes from my firm decision to be independent, follow my instincts and ultimately play by my own rules,” said the 88-year-old former player. years. old. “So while others may decide to opt for celebrity stunts, I prefer to go my own way. That’s what got me here and after almost 50 years I don’t think that’s going to change because of outside pressure. I know it’s a difficult posture, but I don’t know any other way.”
Earlier in the day, Japanese fashion designer Tomo Koizumi played his first show in Europe with support from Dolce & Gabbana. A favorite of Sam Smith, Lady Gaga and Björk, Koizumi delivered corsets of embroidered ribbons in traditional kimono color combinations, and a rainbow profusion of her elaborate smocked dresses, each of which took a week to make by hand. .
Self-taught Koizumi, a former costume designer, first sparked interest in the fashion industry when stylist Katie Grand discovered him on Instagram and he won the endorsements of industry veterans Marc Jacobs and John Galliano. The invitation from Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana allowed him to expand his repertoire of fabrics.
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“I usually don’t use silk organza because it’s expensive,” he said. “(But) it’s not just the budget that’s so helpful, but working with great designers who push me a lot and push me to make my original stuff even better.”