November 15, 2019 |
And here we are again… A new season of destination shows is upon us and what better way to start than at the beginning of the alphabet – Armani, as in Giorgio Armani. The Italian design legend kicked off the travelling show that is the Pre-Fall 2020 season in his very own home. The Teatro Armani in Milan was the dark, eery backdrop for the the designer’s latest show, Transformism. The title was reflected throughout the collections, in more than just one way. At the core, it’s the merging of duality within Armani’s brand.
On one side, you’ve got the elevated tailoring that defined the 1990s silhouette and changed the direction of menswear forever. And then there’s the soft, feminine eveningwear which has not only positioned many a Hollywood starlet on the best-dressed list, but has also become synonymous with the brand’s name. The two universes collided quite harmoniously in the Pre-Fall 2020 collection as a stellar line-up of looks that somehow retain the spirit of both precision and sensuality. High embellishments and theatrical drama extended the silhouettes from 2D to 3D, reflecting the light and interacting with the wearer. The transformative aspect of the collection could also be considered geographically – after the Cruise 2020 show in Tokyo, there was definitely some subtle Japanese influences sprinkled atop of the severe Italian glamour.
The accessories game was particularly strong on this occasion, with hats, jewellery and bags furthering a sense of fantasy. This was no mistake though – ahead of the show, Mister Armani opened Accents of Style, the latest in-house exhibition at Armani/ Silos gallery, dedicated to four decades of his accessory design. The first ever Giorgio Armani high jewellery collection was also revealed earlier in the day at the brand’s own hotel, completing a creative hat trick that can only be described as legendary.
