In a fitting twist of fate, the famously strong-willed Giorgio Armani, who dominated Milanese fashion for half a century and oversaw every detail of his empire until his death, was able to plan his own farewell fashion show.
Armani spent his final months organizing a celebration of his brand’s 50th anniversary, held in the romantic, enclosed courtyard of the Pinacoteca di Brera gallery in central Milan, where a tribute exhibition to him has just opened. “Save the Date” invitations for the evening of September 28 had been sent out before his passing earlier this month.
What was meant to be an anniversary celebration became a goodbye. Armani’s spectacular show went ahead, more somber yet even grander and more impressive than originally planned.
Actor Cate Blanchett was among the guests in the Pinacoteca di Brera courtyard.
The invitations specified a black-tie dress code and included a T-shirt featuring a black-and-white portrait of a young Armani. Many guests wore the T-shirt under their tuxedos. In the front row, Lauren Hutton in a white suit sat beside Cate Blanchett and a silver-haired Richard Gere, whose Armani suits in the 1980 film American Gigolo helped make both the actor and the designer famous.
Richard Gere’s Armani suits in American Gigolo brought fame to both the actor and the designer.
“I had to be here for him,” said designer Paul Smith. “He was brilliant, but also down-to-earth like me. The first time I met him, he was sweeping the street outside his store. If you think about it, he was probably the first to wear a T-shirt under a suit. Now everyone does it.”
After a week of heavy rain, the skies cleared over a pearlescent catwalk in the lantern-filled courtyard. The final collection Armani worked on was fittingly personal and sentimental, a love letter to two of his favorite places: the historic Brera district where he lived and worked, and the island of Pantelleria, where he had a holiday home.
The collection featured his signature soft yet confident tailoring, including double-breasted jackets with balloon trousers and airy dresses in Mediterranean blue, made of featherlight organza to evoke an island breeze.
Anna Wintour recently described Armani as “one of fashion’s heads of state.” His favorite models from over the years, including Gina Di Bernardo from his early ad campaigns, walked slowly as a pianist played live.
The delicate blue organza dresses paid tribute to life on Pantelleria.
The only change made by Armani’s team after his death was to scale back the after-party. Instead of a dancefloor, guests enjoyed small bowls of risotto and a tour of “Milano: Per Amore,” the first fashion exhibition at the Pinacoteca di Brera. It features 120 Armani “masterpieces,” as gallery director Angelo Crespi called them, displayed alongside works by Caravaggio and Raphael, creating a dialogue between fashion and art.
For example, a draped midnight blue skirt and bodysuit worn by Juliette Binoche at the 2016 Cannes festival was paired with a Bellini Madonna wearing a robe of the same lapis lazuli blue.
Attention now turns to the future of Armani’s empire. The designer left precise instructions for his heirs, specifying not only that they should aim to sell the brand but also listing preferred buyers such as LVMH, L’Oréal (his beauty brand partner), and EssilorLuxottica. In the meantime, the company will be guided by his family and his longtime partner and right-hand man, Leo.Dell’Orco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Giorgio Armanis farewell fashion show designed to be clear concise and helpful for anyone interested
General Beginner Questions
1 What is the Giorgio Armani farewell show
It is the final runway show personally directed and curated by Mr Armani himself intended as a tribute to his legendary career in fashion
2 When and where did the farewell show take place
It was held in Milan Italy The specific date would be announced by the Armani fashion house for the event
3 Was this his very last show ever
While its billed as his farewell show it typically means its his final major runway presentation that he personally directs He will likely continue to be involved with his brand in other capacities
4 What does a runway tribute directed by the designer himself mean
It means that Giorgio Armani was directly and intimately involved in every creative aspectfrom selecting the models and music to choreographing the walk and curating the clothing collectionmaking it a deeply personal final statement
5 Who was invited to attend the show
The guest list typically includes celebrities fashion editors top models longtime collaborators and loyal clientsessentially the people who have been central to his world
The Show The Collection
6 What was the theme or mood of the collection
The collection was a Greatest Hits of Armanis signature aesthetics emphasizing timeless elegance sophisticated tailoring and his iconic fluid silhouettes in a neutral color palette
7 Did any famous models walk in the show
Its highly probable that iconic models from throughout his career sometimes referred to as Armani Girls returned to the runway for this special tribute
8 What kind of music was played
The music was carefully selected by Armani to complement the emotional and reflective mood of the show often featuring classical or atmospheric pieces rather than upbeat pop songs
9 Were there any surprise moments or guests
Farewell shows often feature emotional finales such as Mr Armani taking a solo walk down the runway to a standing ovation from the audience
Impact Significance
10 Why is this show so significant in the fashion world
It marks the end of an era Giorgio Armani is one of the last remaining designers from a legendary generation
