‘The legacy I would like to leave is one of commitment, respect and attention to reality,’ said Giorgio Armani to ELLE Decoration Editor-in-Chief Ben Spriggs when the two met towards the end of last year. In light of the recent sad news that today, at the age of 91, the legendary Italian fashion designer has died, we have found ourselves returning to these words.
From his first job in fashion – dressing the windows at La Rinascente, Milan’s most upscale department store – to launching his eponymous brand in 1975, Giorgio Armani was a perfectionist and an innovator. It’s notable that he was never referred to by his first name –a marker of the respect he held in the industry.
He became synonymous with the hedonistic days of the 80s, when the Armani woman and man were out at the hippest parties and events, but his reach stepped beyond fashion and culture when, in 2000 Armani/Casa opened its flagship store at Via Manzoni 311, Milan.
What's everyone reading?
It was a landmark moment, but the Armani/Casa story in reality started in 1982, when Mr Armani designed a lamp for the company’s Milan offices. This was the first time he’d ever created an interiors product and his love for the piece was cemented after he incorporated its silhouette into the brand’s logo. Since then it’s become known as the ‘Logo’ lamp and still forms an integral part of each collection.
‘With the launch of the first Armani/Casa collection,’ says Mr Armani, ‘I began to create the idea of a total lifestyle, extending my vision and aesthetics to interior decorating. Research and experimentation give life to objects and environments that reflect my idea of design and what I consider to be luxurious and essential.’
What did he feel was the secret to the longevity of his success? ‘I’ve always chosen to create something of lasting value, which must respond to a precise model based on elegance, quality and comfort. To me, this is timeless: an aesthetic not tied to any specific moment, and certainly not trying to chase what is considered current. I approach each project, whether it be fashion or interior design, taking into account the relationship between form and function – a combination that can never be overlooked.’
Never one to be driven by trends, he instead aimed to ‘touch a range of people all over the world; people who are very different from each other, but who have the same penchant for what is beautiful, elegant and timeless.’
To delve deeper into the mind of the maestro, read the full conversation between Giorgio Armani and Ben Spriggs…
