Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani brought sparkle and stars to the canal city on Saturday with a “One Night Only” fashion show coinciding with the 80th Venice Film Festival. The 89-year-old designer put on a playful, cinema-inspired show for his celebrity guests. His Armani Prive collection was built around harlequin-patterned couture creations, often paired with ruffled collars. Dresses, tops, trousers, and headpieces shimmered with sequins.
The show’s name, Petillant, derived from the sparkling wine of the same name, a reference to 1920s glamor and frivolous creativity. The runway, bathed in subdued light, accentuated the soft elegance of the ensembles. Actors Jessica Chastain, Sophia Loren, and Rege-Jean Page, and directors Ang Lee and Ava DuVernay sat in the front row.
A rose motif emerged in the 77-look show, which also took cues from lacquer boxes of Far East origin. Roses appeared as embossed patterns on silky satin dresses, tulle gowns, and lingerie. They also appeared on tees, blouses, and tunics woven with gold thread and crystal embellishments.
The color palette was muted compared to the garish hues typically seen in harlequin costumes and featured shades of watery green, mauve, pale blue, and gold. Those hues were meant to reflect Venetian palazzos’ Rococo traditions and evoke the harlequin’s mischievous yet melancholic disposition.
It was the latest chapter in a multifaceted career that has made Armani one of Italy’s most successful postwar designers. The Piacenza native, who revolutionized the fashion world with his complete vision of modern luxury, is a philanthropist and an activist for global humanitarian issues. He is widely considered the most influential designer of his generation.
He started his career designing men’s suits and then moved into women’s apparel, launching his first fragrance in 1989. In the 1990s, he expanded his operations with restaurants, clothing manufacturers, and shares in other businesses. He also diversified into television and movies, designing the costumes for Richard Gere in American Gigolo and outfitting the characters of Miami Vice.
Armani’s empire has flourished in recent years after a rocky start, including being sentenced to prison in 1996 for bribing tax officials. He now owns more than a dozen brands, and his eponymous label is the top-selling global brand in the luxury goods sector. His company is based in Milan, with about 22,000 employees worldwide.
Giorgio Armani is the heir apparent to the fashion world’s throne, but he has never lost his passion for the industry and the people who work within it. He has a solid and loyal base of customers that spans the globe, and his creations continue to be coveted for their quality and timeless style.
The fall Armani Prive couture collection was a testament to the power of love and the desire to make the world a better place. At 1stDibs, we carry a wide selection of vintage and contemporary Armani Prive perfume samples and decants. Shop online today for the perfect addition to your collection of fragrances.