Giorgio Armani: artfully self-assured

Giorgio Armani may be well into his eighties, but he is still thinking out of the box. Armani is still the master Italian tailor, yet he injected all sorts of new life into his signature collection this season with colorful flourishes, unexpected asymmetry and bold accessories.

His shapes were fluid and graceful, while his silhouette looked at times almost weightless. He opened with a series of patchwork silk pants; leather boleros and dusters in beautiful abstract florals. One model appeared, her head surfacing above a burst of celluloid flowers, before a front row of Cate Blanchett, Livia Firth, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Lewis Hamilton.

Then the designer changed gear with a series of silvery pantsuits – both for women and men – just to remind us how great a cut is an Armani jacket. Before then changing gear again with a brilliant quartet of black crepe cocktails, with undulating hems and leather encrusted bodices.

Presented on models with Asian pageboy haircuts to the dramatic music of Roedelius, this was a timely reminder of how Armani, at 83, still remains very relevant.

“Not just one artist, or any school of artists; more a vision of a work of sculpture, or a certain painting I admire and dreamed of,” smiled Armani, explaining his inspiration.

The night before, the house hosted a dinner for just 40 for Blanchett in Nobu for Armani’s latest scent Sì.

“I love Giorgio, and this scent and couldn’t be more honored,” said Blanchett, after a high-protein dinner of Nobu fish and crustaceans.

The movie star was sitting alongside Princess Charlene, showing off her Olympian shoulders in a halter neck jumpsuit. Neither lady descended to the designer’s basement nightclub, Giorgio’s. Pity that, as they missed a brilliant concert by Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

After his finale, Armani greeted Blanchett in the warmest embrace, stroking her blond hair and whispering in her ear, before she turned away, visibly moved, eyes tearful and excited.

Giorgio Armani: artfully self-assured

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