Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armaniis an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer that Italy has produced, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a personal fortune of $8.5 billion as of 2013. He is credited with pioneering red-carpet fashion...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionFashion Designer
Date of Birth11 July 1934
CityPiacenza, Italy
CountryItaly
I know that people who have been closely involved with my work for many years are terrified of having to answer to someone else, someone who is not me, and that it won't be me to help them in their problems. This is my real problem.
There is a danger in becoming an icon, as people can see you as remote and untouchable, and they are less willing to tolerate you doing things that don't fit with their preconceived idea of you. Iconic status can be like a pair of handcuffs, especially if, like me, you wish to continually stretch yourself creatively, as Warhol did.
There are always protests, whether you do something good or bad. Even if you do something beneficial, people say you do it because it's advertising.
I've tried to find a new elegance. It's not easy because people want to be shocked. They want explosive fashion. But explosions don't last, they disappear immediately and leave nothing but ashes.
The goal I seek is to have people refine their style through my clothing without having them become victims of fashion.
Anyone who is passionate about what they do will have a better chance of connecting with future generations than those who simply follow transient trends. At least their work will have a distinctive character, and this is what people respond to, I believe.
When I go on my boat or to my vacation houses, where I still unfortunately spend very little time, I don't go with the celebrities I know but with a close group of friends and people who have worked with me for a long time.
My strong sense of discipline has always been with me, and it also gave me the need for deep affection. I have never been satisfied with acquaintances who are superficial, volatile, or quick to change. I have surrounded myself with people with whom I am in total complicity.
The secret is to remain true to your aesthetic vision, so that people can see that you really believe passionately in what you are doing. That way, they can relate to your style. At the same time, you experiment-you try new things.
Actually I am very glad that people can buy Armani - even if it's a fake. I like the fact that I'm so popular around the world.
An ordinary person can simply walk into a shop and feel that they can participate in helping the needy by simply buying a perfume.
You can think you've made it and yet the next day's press will always be waiting for you, the public will always ask more of you. In short, you can always do better!
I find that fashion recently has been a little too hasty. Oftentimes it's put together quickly to catch the attention of the media, and I didn't want to do that.
The products that are moving out of the stores the fastest are those that are most expensive.