OK, let's play word associations. I say Armani, you say: suits, suntan, babes on speedboats? The name "Armani" has become shorthand for a specific kind of well-oiled European luxury. The man at the center of this louche lifestyle empire? Giorgio Armani. A man with the looks of a Bond villain and the canniness of an actual fashion-world Steve Jobs.
Giorgio trained under the grandmaster of Italian suiting, Nino Cerruti, before starting his own eponymous line in 1975. By the time he designed the costumes for Richard Gere in American Gigolo in 1980, Armani's subtle high-end suiting had already become the look of the decade. After establishing a family of sub-collections, including Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, and Emporio Armani, Giorgio remained at the fashion forefront throughout the Internet age. In 2007 he became the first designer to live-stream a couture show, and even designed an Armani cell phone (add this to your eBay saved searches NOW).
Today, Giorgio is as relevant as ever. He designed every outfit for what was arguably the wedding of the 2000s—the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. And he continues to provide Lady Gaga with fantastical tour outfits. So, on his 79th birthday, we salute the man celebrated in Italy as "Re Giorgio," King Giorgio.
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Sunspel MELANGE SWEAT TOP in dark indigo
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Opening Ceremony MACE MAXI DRESS in red
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Christopher Kane Jaguar clutch in grey
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Band of Outsiders leather blouson in Jet Black![]()
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Opening Ceremony Zoot Stripe coat in ivory/black
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Cor Sine Labe Doli Papillon primo bow tie in nero opaco/oro posto
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Kamali Kulture
Giorgio trained under the grandmaster of Italian suiting, Nino Cerruti, before starting his own eponymous line in 1975. By the time he designed the costumes for Richard Gere in American Gigolo in 1980, Armani's subtle high-end suiting had already become the look of the decade. After establishing a family of sub-collections, including Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, and Emporio Armani, Giorgio remained at the fashion forefront throughout the Internet age. In 2007 he became the first designer to live-stream a couture show, and even designed an Armani cell phone (add this to your eBay saved searches NOW).
Today, Giorgio is as relevant as ever. He designed every outfit for what was arguably the wedding of the 2000s—the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. And he continues to provide Lady Gaga with fantastical tour outfits. So, on his 79th birthday, we salute the man celebrated in Italy as "Re Giorgio," King Giorgio.
Sunspel MELANGE SWEAT TOP in dark indigo
Opening Ceremony MACE MAXI DRESS in red
Christopher Kane Jaguar clutch in grey
Band of Outsiders leather blouson in Jet Black
Opening Ceremony Zoot Stripe coat in ivory/black
Cor Sine Labe Doli Papillon primo bow tie in nero opaco/oro posto
Kamali Kulture