Giorgio Armani Fashion designer Date of Birth: 11.07.1934 Country: Italy

1. Biography of Giorgio Armani
2. Childhood and Youth
3. Design
4. Fashion House
5. Success
6. Personal Life
7. Giorgio Armani Today

Biography of Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani, a fashion designer, is a great genius of style, a legend in the world of fashion, and a talented individual whose name has been a symbol of impeccable taste for decades. His creative journey can be compared to a straight path leading only upwards. However, as one might guess, the designer's biography has not been as cloudless as it may seem from the outside.

Childhood and Youth

Giorgio Armani was born in the town of Piacenza, Italy, on July 11, 1934. In his early childhood, young Giorgio had no interest in the world of fashion. On the contrary, his dreams revolved around a much more down-to-earth profession: he planned to become a doctor. For this reason, Giorgio Armani enrolled at the prestigious University of Bologna. However, after two years, he realized with regret that the idea of becoming a doctor was a mistake. Armani left the university without knowing where to go next. The army gave him a couple of years of respite. Then the question of further work arose again. Giorgio decided to pursue photography. He carried a brand-new camera everywhere, searching for interesting subjects, capturing original shots, and gradually honing his skills in framing and understanding the play of light. Armani's photos gradually became more artistic. One day, a friend of Giorgio, impressed by these shots, offered him a position as a window dresser at the "La Rinescente" department store. In need of work and money at that time, Giorgio agreed without hesitation. This department store essentially became the first platform for the great master's creativity and self-expression. His work as a window dresser allowed the genius of style to experiment with colors and decorative elements. Soon, Armani's talented ideas caught the attention of the store owner. This moment undoubtedly became crucial in Giorgio Armani's future career.

Design

After some time, Giorgio Armani was given the responsibility to independently plan the purchase of goods from India and Japan, creating clothing collections according to his own taste. This captivated the budding designer so much that fashion and style became his priority interest in life. The master later admitted that what happened seemed like an obsession: the shapes and contours, colors and shades fascinated Armani to such an extent that he began to consider creating his own clothing line. The first sketches, many of which would later come to life, were composed by the master during his time at this department store. In 1961, Armani moved on to work for Nino Cerruti, becoming an assistant to the great master. Giorgio collaborated with Cerruti for six years, creating new clothing patterns, inventing new designs, and sewing behind the sewing machine. This clothing was then released under the brand "Hitman," which belonged to Cerruti. Armani's path then crossed with Ermenegildo Zegna and Emanuel Ungaro, from whom Giorgio had much to learn. From the early 1970s, Armani began creating his own clothing designs outside of any collaboration and then selling the sketches to renowned fashion houses.

Fashion House

This freelance work suited the independent artist, and Armani began to think about starting his own business. In 1974, Giorgio presented his first clothing line under his own name. This event is considered the beginning of Giorgio Armani's independent journey towards the heights of the fashion world and fame. The first collection was well received by fashionistas, and even the strictest critics reacted surprisingly favorably to the debut. A year later, in 1975, Giorgio Armani, together with his close friend Sergio Galeotti, founded the brand "Giorgio Armani s.p.a."

In the following years, the fashion maestro devoted himself to the development of his own creation. Soon, the brand "Giorgio Armani" became one of the most recognizable in the world. The company's assortment gradually expanded. Now fashion enthusiasts could choose not only "Armani" clothing but also watches, comfortable shoes, accessories, costume jewelry, and jewelry. Soon, the brand also launched its own collection of fragrances, created in collaboration with "L'Oreal." Armani perfumes, along with the brand's clothing and cosmetics, became incredibly desirable for fashion-conscious men and women. The company grew to such an extent that Giorgio Armani decided to create separate divisions, each responsible for a different direction. For example, all collection clothing was released under the label "Giorgio Armani." Attire in a more affordable price range appeared with the labels "Armani Collezioni" and "Armani Exchange." Even young fashion enthusiasts had their own brand, "Armani Junior."

Success

Giorgio Armani's success was overwhelming—there was hardly a country where fashion enthusiasts did not dream of owning clothing by the great master. Celebrities also fell under the spell of Armani. Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Robert De Niro, and Jodie Foster became regular customers. And this is not even a complete list of star names. According to some media reports, 90% of celebrities appearing on the red carpet at the Oscars were dressed in outfits from the popular couturier.

Directors Paul Schrader and Brian De Palma also signed contracts with the company "Giorgio Armani" to create clothing for actors. Additionally, Armani was invited as a costume designer for films such as "The Matrix," "American Gigolo," and "The Untouchables." Judging by what viewers saw on screen, the master excelled in fulfilling the task.

Furthermore, every advertisement for the brand, whether a video clip or a magazine photo, was genuinely a work of art featuring only renowned stars. It turned out that looking fashionable was the desire not only of partygoers and socialites. Giorgio Armani developed a unique concept for the football kit of Chelsea F.C. in London. Giorgio Armani's contribution to the development of the global fashion industry did not go unnoticed, and he was awarded the Legion of Honor.

Personal Life

Unfortunately, Giorgio Armani's personal life did not turn out as spectacular as his career. He paid the price of success and popularity with loneliness, although this cost was great. Armani never married, and he does not have any children. According to Giorgio's own admission, his niece, who also works in the company, has become the closest person to him.

Giorgio Armani has repeatedly stated that he is bisexual. Presumably, Sergio Galeotti was his constant companion and partner for twenty years. In 1985, Galeotti passed away, the cause of death being AIDS. This tragic event threw Giorgio into deep depression. However, the master found the strength to continue creating. Afterward, no information about Giorgio Armani's love life appeared in the press. Apparently, art and fashion became Armani's refuge and the meaning of life.

Giorgio Armani Today

Currently, Giorgio Armani, despite his advanced age, continues to release new clothing and fragrance collections. In 2017, two perfumes were introduced—one for men and one for women—and the company's official website presents the latest seasonal line of new outfits. Fans can only wait for new creations from the great master of fashion.