By Michele Smith
Facebook – MicheleSmithMarketing
Giorgio Armani is a fashion icon to say the least and has blazed the trail inspiring many up and coming designers. While originally known for his menswear line, today he is noted for his company, Armani. He started in 1975 and by 2001 he was acclaimed as one of the most successful designers to ever to originate with earnings of 1.6 billion. Armani has been credited with pioneering red-carpet fashion.
Born in the northern Italian town of Placenza, Armani started his early years working as a window dresser for La Rinascente located in Milan. Armani then began to establish relationships with several manufacturers, which led to a collaboration as a freelance designer for a number of fashion houses, including Allegri, Bagutta, Hilton, Sicons, Gibò, Montedoro and Tendresse.
The International press was quick to notice the impeccable style of Armani and his career quickly spiralled upward. In the 1980’s Armani signed a very important contract to collaborate with L’Oréal and introduced Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, Armani Underwear and Swimwear.
Due to the nature of his newest line, Armani felt he needed to use unconventional adverting methods such as television and ads, bringing him into the world of film. The Italians designer has designed for hundreds of films, the most notable being the American Gigolo and The Untouchables.
In 1983, the Armani team began to produce the Mani line for ready-to-wear men’s fashion in the United States. He later opened Armani Japan and introduced a line of sunglasses, socks, and a gift collection, as well as a ready-to-wear men and women’s line known as the A/X Armani Exchange.
In 1996 Eric Clapton produced songs for many of Armani’s fashion shows and Clapton has been sporting Armani’s latest designs ever since. The designer opened his first store in China in 1998 and following the 1988 opening in Beijing; he opened up a flagship store in Shanghai in 2004. During this time, the Guggenheim Museum in New York displayed an exhibit of the designers work with 29,000 visitors weekly. This exhibit was a first for a living fashion designer.
In addition to a lucrative career, Armani is clearly an innovative designer to say the least. Armani was the first designer to ban models with body mass index under age 18 after the death of model Ana Corona Reston, who passed away from anorexia. His collection was first to broadcast across the internet, with his 2007 fashion show being broadcast live via MSN and AT&T cellular phones. In recent years, Armani has designed from pop-icon Lady Gaga, who displayed Armani’s designs on her record breaking Monster Ball Tour and Born This Way Tour. Armani also was the key designer for the 52nd Grammy Awards and the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
Armani signed an agreement with Herrera Global in 2005, to build seven luxury hotels under the Armani name, where the Italian designer would be responsible for interior design. The first skyscraper was built in Dubai featuring 160 guest rooms and 144 private residences. This designer clearly is an icon in the fashion industry and will historically be touted as one of the top brands
