BY LAIRD BORRELLI-PERSSON For VOGUE
Giorgio Armani is a fashion giant who first made his mark in menswear. His signature soft approach to tailoring reshaped not only the masculine suit but also male stereotypes. See Richard Gere at his most drop-dead gorgeous in 1980’s American Gigolo for proof. When it comes to womenswear, Armani focuses on sartorialism rather than flou, bringing some of the swagger traditionally associated with haberdashery into a new realm.
Having studied to be a doctor at one point, Armani understands the body and how it moves; he designs clothes that allow free and fluid movement. He also has a sense of occasion, and his genius was to bring a certain easy confidence to red-carpet dressing. His Italian sprezzatura translated effortlessly into Hollywood. Armani is black-tie for winners, as evidenced by stars from Jodie Foster to Cate Blanchett to Renée Zellweger, all of whom wore his designs to pick up their Oscar statuettes.
At 70 years of age and 30 years into his career, Armani got into the couture game, launching Armani Privé in 2005. Recently in Paris he showed his 38th Privé collection, once again proving the world is his oyster with a dazzling lineup inspired by the luster of pearls. As fashion’s favorite nonagenarian marks his birthday on July 11, we’ve collected 90 moments from his career to celebrate him. Tanti auguri!
(see all photos on vogue.com)
