Viva Italia: Armani

Miami Vice showcased Armani’s “Power Suit” in the 1980s

The final fashion designer in this tour of irresistible Italian fashion designer is non other than Giorgio Armani! Giorgio Armani, born in Piacenza, Italy, got his start in the mid 1970s, after completing a military service and two years of medical study at the University of Piacenza.  He is known today for his popular men’s suits and his international Italian fashion house that produces couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, watches, jewelry, accessories and more. The Armani name is known world wide for a reputation of luxury and haute couture.

After finishing his time in the military, Armani worked at La Rinascente, a famous Milan department store, in the staff of Nino Cerruti as a designer. His friend, Sergio Galeotti, encouraged Amrani to do freelance design work for other companies too, and eventually the two became business partners, founding Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in 1975. The first collection was a men’s clothing line, with a women’s collection launched in the following year. His clothes were unique for the time, utilizing a more natural fit and a subdued color scheme

Giorgio Armani Purple Sequins Jacket

Armani became a household name in America in the 1980s with shows like Miami Vice and the film American Gigolo, which featured his iconic men’s power suits. The fashion label became a symbol of success for many business professionals at this time, allowing Armani to grow the business.

By the end of the 1990s, Armani had over 200 stores internationally and a continuous expansion of product offerings. Today, he has even expanded the empire to include restaurants and hotels. Some have compared his career and influence to other fashion icons like Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Armani’s influence on fashion has been substantial and the fashion label will likely continue to be a fashion staple worldwide.

For more Armani, check out BackInStyle’s Armani page here!

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