Giorgio Armani has always been drawn to far flung locales and cultures. The countless reference points have always been an inspiration to his work. This collection he said, would display "an echo of different cultures. As if you are touring the world and taking different references from different cultures and obviously make them more of today's world."
The lineup was streamlined of looks in high intensity, high shine fabrics, an exotica rendered in a moody palette shot with red, nonspecific tribal-esque patterns and bold accessories, including the ubiquitous fez. The designer's primary focus was on pants that were cut lean under short, crisp jackets or waistcoats. These were done neatly with details of cut such as curved closure, plisséd edges, geometric hems and short puffed sleeves.
For grander moments, he raged from the simplicity of a lovely long black sating dress with a hint of vibrant embroidery, to the sleek intricacy of a graphic, red-and-black, jewel encrusted peplum top over a black mermaid skirt.
Armani made a big push with accesories. Bags and shoes in matching prints and big bar broaches were demonstative but at the same time was a bit confusing.
Elegance and class is the element that radiates out from these designs and when worn feel absolutely wonderful. Class is the message that Armani always gives out and at the same time allows anyone to pick and choose any piece to wear separately or completely. One more thing is that there is always the touch of feminine sexiness and that is Armani.
There is one word that labels this Armani Privé collection for Fall/Winter: BEAUTIFUL! Yes, with capital letters. Giorgio Armani this time did a study of the sensitivity of light and shade. He demonstrated this with sunrise and midnight hues that created an impeccable collection.
The show opened with a masculine sense of style mixed with feminine touches with shirtlike jackets in billowing organza with wide legged velvet pants. What was dominant were dressy pants which seem to be Armani's main fashion message. Beautiful flowing black velvet pants paired with filmy organza cardigans with silvery embroideries proved to make a point in high feminine elegance. Daybreak colors were used and leaned towards evening. Waistcoats and peak lapel jackets in heavy silks proved to be such examples. Armani who is known to use a grey-to-beige color palette turned out vivid color-block tops and a cheery tricolor tunic.
When the crickets on the soundtrack started it was the moment for the night-sky portion of the collection which was stunning. The sinuous and sleek black gowns were the popular silhouette at this fall collection and many of them were strapless.
The models were veiled with crystal studded tunic scarves adding a mystic touch to the designs. The show was in its climax when one stunning dress after another came out in sequins and rhinestones, velvet, organza and satins; all in different hues of midnight blues and blacks.
The finale look was a spectacular bustier dress with Swarovski Elements that looked like constellations dripping down all over it. Armani really captured the sunset and the night sky filled with sparkling stars so well and made it all look exquisite.
After a little while as you look at the collection that Giorgio Armani designed you begin to get what the theme of the collection is. Just by looking at the sheer T-shirts underneath the jackets, the fine geometric mesh fabrics cut in shape of snakes' scales, this was a collection based on the idea of pythons, serpents, the textures and patterns of the reptile world. Just like Karl Lagerfeld did earlier in the Chanel collection, Armani did a similar thing. In this case the color is green. Poison green, teal green, deep green.
The beautiful pencil skirts with folded with volume or slim pants matched well with jackets nipped at the waist that were an emphasis of his line all made a sleek and modern statement for daywear. For evening there were slinky to voluminous styles that are fit for any glamour girl or any girl who wants to feel seductive and glamorous. All in the of the serpents for inspiration. There were some Oscar worthy dresses here! I wonder who will wear his ssssssleek and sssssssssexy couture?
A wonderful exotic world was met in the foyer at the Théâtre National de Chaillot. There was a vast black bordered red carpet underlit to powerful effect which was perfect for the presentation I was about to see. Armani has always designed wonderful clothes no matter what season it is. Ever since he started Privé, Armani consistently presents beautiful couture designs that are truly spectacular and always takes my breath away. What I always enjoy from Armani is that he is never shy to experiment with shapes, textures and construction. I always look forward to his haute couture collections because there is a powerful simplicity that is so elegant and impressing to the eye.
Giorgio Armani
Dedicated to Japan and the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami, this collection is a loud whisper of sophistication. It is pure elegance that is highly exceptional with the influence of Japanese art and style. He opened with a sleek, structured reed-thin silhouette. His day looks were defined with the peaked shoulders that he loves. There were some beautiful black pieces with pretty partial prints snaking down a sleeve, defining a peplum or spliced across one side of a neckline. For evening the word 'gorgeous' popped in my head. It was the climax of his collection. They were slender and had structure and demanded to be noticed. There were flaps incorporated and folds of fabric that never made anything look overdone. A couple of show stoppers were a black velvet gown with crystal fringing and a melon sequined dress embroidered with flowers, which was the finale piece.
There was never a dull moment in the presentation. I was truly captivated by this supreme collection that truly represented what Armani loves to do. To make a woman look and feel beautiful.
Giorgio Armani is a fashion force full good taste and quality. People reach out and want to experience it.
From window dressing, becoming a buyer for a men's department, designing for Nino Ceruti and freelancing, Armani is a designer with a vast amount of design and marketing experience under his belt.
Ever since 2005 his Armani Privépresentations have been a showcase of craftsmanship mastered by the wonderful hands of his atelier. And I enjoy watching this feast of luxurious Armani quality every season!
Giorgio Armani
The Spring 2011 Couture Collection was an unexpected stimulation of fashion brilliance. When I first saw this collection, I about fell out of my chair. The amazing innovative glamorous and modern collection zapped me. Mesmerizing me and keeping my attention each time a model came out and walked down the runway. I looked forward to this entire collection.
Pre-Show Armani Privé
Haute Couture
Spring 2011
The wonderful cuts of the jackets, the slim legging like pants under wonderful sculpted dresses, fantastic evening gowns, molded in wonderful architectural silhouettes, are all must haves. Almost every outfit was punctuated with a shiny disc hat, a perfect touch. Fabrics were all shiny and the accessories were to live for.
The last three bedazzling dresses that were bejeweled, dripped and encrusted in the most sparkling gems and rhinestones, all gave a wonderful fashion orgasm at the end of the show.
I have no complaints about this collection, whatsoever.
