In celebration of Giorgio Armani's 40th anniversary at his namesake label this week in Milan, we take a glance back at our interview with the designer from MOJEH Issue 27 and highlight what's trending in his world for spring/summer 2016.
‘Perfection is an abstract concept that is difficult to achieve in reality. The pursuit of perfection is, however, the constant stimulus that drives my work, with the aim to get closer to true beauty. And I believe that this on-going search is an element that is appreciated by my audience and clientele’ - Giorgio Armani
As Mr. Armani ‘aims to get closer to true beauty’ he will undoubtedly retain his crown as the most successful Italian designer of all time. This season he celebrates the 40th anniversary of his label: ‘...a major event for which I will be involved in a series of events, starting with the large fashion show to be held at the opening of EXPO Milano 2015. In the meantime I am working diligently, looking to the future.’ Having previously said that he ‘hoped Armani can live without me’, his perfected vision will be a hard act to follow – for anyone. You can see it in his manner, his outlook, and his work: the need for perfection is ingrained within him. Mr. Armani’s perfected complexities are his own true beauty.
And so to this season. What more can the 81-year-old designer prove? The collection, as expected, was a celebratory affair attended by an eclectic roster of Armani's favourite Italian faces from the likes of Sophia Loren, director Luca Guadagnino and former model and muse of the house Antonia Dell'Atte.
Armani's reference point was weightlessness, felt in an airy colour palette consumed with red tones - a hue not usually associated with the house. That also translated to more casual silhouettes like the walking shorts and full skirts he offered, and when trousers did arrive they were sheer and layered over opaque leggings.
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The designer's graphic treatments were a refreshing palette cleanser from last week's pastel-powered Emporio Armani collection. Here it was all about beauty in the fine details, perpetuated by lozenge embroidery and lighthearted polka dots that added a youthful essence to the collection. Still there were examples of Armani's masterful tailoring, the one-button jacket silhouette was strong throughout, but elevated this season with glass beads and silk cord embroidery that encapsulated the relaxed nuance of the Armani spring/summer 2016 muse.
