Giorgio Armani, the renowned Italian fashion designer, has made his way to New York for his highly anticipated spring 2025 show. The occasion also serves as a celebration for the opening of his new Madison Avenue boutiques, which will include his own restaurant set to open next month.
It has been over a decade since Armani last showcased his designs in the Big Apple, and the event was marked by a series of festivities. Despite recently celebrating his 90th birthday, Armani shows no signs of slowing down and is already looking ahead to the 50-year milestone of his brand next year.
The show, held at the Park Avenue Armory, featured an impressive display of over 90 men's and women's looks. These looks were inspired by the theme of "viaggio", which translates to "journey" in Italian. The venue, designed to resemble a train station, provided a unique backdrop for the audience members, including notable names like Lili Reinhart, Pamela Anderson, and Brie Larson, who enjoyed the show from mini café-style tables.
The collection started with a neutral ensemble, featuring a woman wearing a jacket, trousers, and boots, accompanied by a bellhop carrying multiple bags. This introductory look seemed to be a nod to Armani's status as a visitor to New York. The subsequent looks were perfect for city living, with flowing blouses, pants, and a stunning cape fastened with a brooch. A standout piece from the collection was a leather trench coat reminiscent of iconic movie heroines.
Although Armani is firmly rooted in Milan, his designs often pay homage to the bright lights of Hollywood. He has dressed countless stars for magazine covers and has made a mark in the film industry with his expertly tailored power suits. The spring 2025 collection showcased this modern take on classic tailoring, including silk pieces and casual shorts suits. Armani also drew inspiration from 1930s starlets, incorporating liquid gowns reminiscent of Carole Lombard's glamorous style.
The accessories in the collection were equally impressive, featuring statement hats, crocheted caps, woven belts, chunky bangles, square sunglasses, and eccentric earrings. One model even walked the runway with a furry friend as an accessory. The finale of the show highlighted showpieces adorned in sunset hues reminiscent of the iconic Manhattanhenge phenomenon. Some of these showpieces were intricately beaded and fringed, adding an extra layer of elegance.
For the finale, the models formed a striking line at the Armory, symbolizing Armani's long and successful career in the fashion industry. The designer himself took a well-deserved and triumphant bow, marking the end of a remarkable show.
