Fashion Designer Profile: Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani was born in Piacenza, Italy in 1934. One of the most influential fashion designers in the world, Armani has made a worldwide name for himself since his early days as a designer. Originally trained in medicine, he gave that up to pursue photography. Called to national service in 1957, he was forced to put this aside. Following his military service, Giorgio Armani took a job as a window dresser in Milan at a large department store called La Rinascente.

Armani has claimed that this is around the time that he developed his classic style, during frequent visits to London where he was heavily influenced by the styling of the English elite. "While I was working for La Rinascente we used to travel to London for the influences, to see the shops, to learn. I remember seeing some yellow cardigans in a small boutique and bringing them to La Rinascente and everyone thought I was insane. Yellow cardigans were what the Duke of Windsor was about; they were not something for the average man. The entire idea of such clothing was so outre, so elitist... very, very English." he says.

Armani was hired as a designer for Nino Cerruti's men's clothing company, Hitman. Afterward he had also worked as a designer for Ungaro and Zegna. In 1974, he introduced his own label, Giorgio Armani S.p.A, with the help of his partner, Sergio Galeotti. Starting out with a men’s wear label, he later introduced a women’s wear line in 1975. Known especially for his clean, tailored lines, his designs have been made famous by many celebrities, most notably Richard Gere in his role in American Gigolo in 1980.

In 1981, capitalizing on the exposure and appeal of his exclusive label, Armani opened the first of a series of stores selling his less expensive lines, Emporio Armani and Armani Jeans. He added a new make-up range to his product line, specially designed by Pat McGrath, in 2000.

Today, the Armani Empire is made up of around 2000 shops worldwide with annual sales in the $1 billion range. His fashion shows are an event that attracts a crowd of the distinguished and famous. Robert DeNiro, Martin Scorcese, Sophia Loren and many other famous celebrities regularly attend his shows.

Armani claims that his vision is based on the average man and woman on the street, feeling that his designs should be worn and not just seen on the catwalks and in magazines. The power suit of the 80’s has given way to softer, more practical lines. Elegant and understated, his clothes are accessible and pure, without the touch of elitism that pervades much of the fashion industry.