Giorgio Armani stands the test of time

A Class Act

Forty years and counting, a stake that very few in fashion can lie claim to save for the revered likes of Giorgio Armani.

The 81-year-old designer who recently published a coffee table autobiography in ode to having dedicated four decades to the rag trade is not about to let festive fanfare distract him from doing what he’s best at – fashion design.

While there is a compelling element of familiarity what with revisiting favourites such as injecting sports elements, blinging up casuals, and pulling out killer red carpet looks, Armani deliberately took a sabbatical from his favourite beige and pastel palette in favour of red, blue and white. How totally Un-Armani.

Also significantly missing from the collection is the Italian’s penchant of playing match. The signature trouser suits are – gasp! – mismatched. No doubt the colour of the jacket is in line with that of the pants, it is obvious that they are cut from different textures. Is this a sign of things to come at this fabled fashion house? Will Armani finally change its sail? Time will tell.
​