Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armaniis an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer that Italy has produced, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a personal fortune of $8.5 billion as of 2013. He is credited with pioneering red-carpet fashion...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionFashion Designer
Date of Birth11 July 1934
CityPiacenza, Italy
CountryItaly
Through fashion I have shown my interpretation of the competitive spirit by dressing sportsmen and women, choosing to work with both those who are among the world's most renowned athletes and also those who are yet to achieve fame in the arena of sport.
Sports will always be important in global culture, and so fashion, as a reflection of cultural trends, will always incorporate influences from sports.
I find that fashion recently has been a little too hasty. Oftentimes it's put together quickly to catch the attention of the media, and I didn't want to do that.
Technical garments for sporting performance will, I believe, simply become more and more fit for purpose and will perform better and better. What is perhaps more interesting is how this technology will cross over into the fashion mainstream. We already see this trend in everything from footwear to outerwear.
Of course sportsmen and women are not only great role models, they are great fashion models too, as they are at the peak of physical perfection.
My aesthetic is about simplicity, elegance, and comfort, whether that is interpreted in a man's suit or a track suit.
They're sort of like a little ballerina shoe,
The stars I have worked with not only look good in my clothes, but they also embody a spirit of dedication and hard work that I relate to and admire.
I like to think that when an athlete wears Armani, it makes him or her feel confident, and as we all know, confidence is fundamental to winning in any competition.
Of course, the muscular build of athletes is always a challenge for a designer, but my clothing's softness and comfort, which are central aspects of my stylistic vision, allow it to adapt to various physical builds effortlessly.
The interesting thing about basketball is that it is played recreationally all over the world in playgrounds where people shoot hoops. Perhaps it is because of this that the look of the game seems to have been able to cross over into streetwear more easily than that of some sports that are confined to more specialist arenas.
To be the best in your field is a great ambition, and requires discipline and a huge amount of effort. The athletes who possess this drive are the ones I am attracted to.
Italy is not widely thought of as a pioneer of youth culture in the way, say, the UK is.
Youth culture adopts Armani and adapts it in its own way, as befits youthful enthusiasm.