Mr Armani is one of the masters. He watches, he listens and he creates relevant clothes for the most discerning women. “I’ve always seen my work as a reaction to the times we live, because clothes affect behaviours and attitudes,” Mr Armani said. “For this season, I imagined a rich boundless collection, inspired by many cultures as an ode to coexistence as opposed to exclusion. The unifying element is my taste for sophisticated simplicity.” Oooh we are feeling rich and boundless already. The Giorgio Armani woman for Autumn/ Winter 18 was travelling, jet setting, soaking up some culture. She worldly. Streamlined. Belted, hands in pockets. It felt so soft, the palest of pinks and pure baby blues, ethereal. Tailored jackets and loose pleated pants were floating high.
The men were ready for their journey too, in crushed velvet coats so lush and sleek leather ‘army’ boots. It was an eclectic mix for Mr Armani, a subtle clever exploration and celebration of cultures that all fit so seamlessly inside the Armani world. Gleaming pinks were on fire and bright marine blues shimmering, silvery threads flashing. A tapestry of experiences here, she has travelled and seen things, a richness and maturity of adventures. The collection was vibrating on that Armani frequency. Bohemian almost. And the final exit of the double breasted beaded suit was accompanied by Norrland’s gliding ‘Gidge’ guiding Mr Armani’s woman onwards to finish her explorations and conquer. As we do.
Photographs by Jason Lloyd Evans