“I am always curious”
Luxe around the world
DESIGNER PAR EXCELLENCE GIORGIO ARMANI SHARES HIS DESIGN PHILOSOPHY WITH ASISH SAMANTA ABOUT HIS NEWEST
BABY – THE ARMANI HOTEL IN BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI
BALTIMORE ! BE DAZZLED
You have been the most successful designer from Italy. How has the journey been from 1975 to 2010?
I have always believed in working hard and trying to push myself continually. That means that as a designer I have never been happy to rest on my laurels, but have always wanted to innovate. I owe a good part of my success to the fact that I have always stuck to what I call my “fashion philosophy” – which is “Evolution and not Revolution”. To be a successful fashion designer one has to have a clear vision. I have a strong sense of personal aesthetic and pursue it in spite of what anyone says. One of my biggest and continuing challenges every season is to come up with new and innovative ideas for my collections while remaining true to my identity and vision of style.
How has fashion changed since you started? And, has it changed for the better or for worse?
The fashion scene today is incredibly different to that which existed when I was starting out. This is mainly because fashion is more of a mainstream cultural force—everyone knows the names of designers and there are many more labels on sale. Speaking for myself, I always stay true to myself and always follow my ideas and vision, trying hard not to accept compromises.
After so many years in the fashion industry, what or who inspires your collections?
Many different things inspire me: it can be a book, a film, a trip, a vacation or something as
simple as an expression of someone going down
the street. I am always curious, always open to
ideas. I think all truly creative people share this
quality.
Is the choice of another footballer as the face of Armani a direct result of your keen interest in football? What, according to you, makes a sportsperson so revered?
Sport has a global appeal these days which challenges that of cinema and music. For fashion designers that is inspiring, especially as these people are in peak physical condition and so can make incredible models for clothing. I am in favour of collaborating with sportsmen and women, as they often inspire, and arguably have become the new ‘role’ models of modern culture.
What is luxury to you? And how does that translate into an Armani garment, gadget, home or hotel? Also how do you manage to be personally creatively involved with all these aspects simultaneously?
Luxury is often a mis-defined concept. Luxury does not have to be necessarily the most expensive. It’s the freedom to express one’s personality and style in the most understated and natural way. Less is more. Luxury is also the possibility to fulfill one’s dream.
The launch of the Armani Hotel Dubai was one of the biggest events of this year. Tell us more about the hotel and what makes it one of the most luxurious experiences in the world?
Firstly there is the setting: the Burj Khalifa tower will be an astonishing structure, unique in the world. Then there is the décor and design of the Armani Hotel, which will reflect my personal aesthetic. Your stay in an Armani Hotel or resort should be one of extreme comfort – they will be elegant spaces in which people can really relax, with made-to-measure furnishings and diffused, soft lighting. Notably they will also offer the latest in smart technology, to provide real convenience for the modern traveller.
What was the inspiration and the philosophy behind Armani Hotel? How would you describe the über luxurious Armani Hotel experience?
The main inspiration was my Armani/Casa collection, which has been developing since I launched it in 2000. I wanted to design living spaces that would allow this collection to really create a complete mood and atmosphere. It was a very exciting prospect – to finally bring all the elements of Armani/Casa together and in so doing deliver a fully rounded Armani lifestyle experience.
I imagine that my guests will check in and leave behind the stress and strain of their professional
Many different things inspire me: it can be a book, a film, a trip, a vacation or something as
simple as an expression of someone going down
the street. I am always curious, always open to
ideas. I think all truly creative people share this
quality.
from the room designs to the carefully selected textiles and fabrics, to the impeccable service, every aspect of the Armani Hotel experience will bear the Armani signature.
Why did you choose Dubai as a destination to house Armani Hotel? Will India have its very own Armani Hotel as well?
