Giorgio Armani was all smiles when he took his bow on Monday morning. The man certainly had a lot to be happy about. While Europe slept, in Hollywood Armani was the designer that couldn’t be beat on the red carpet. He dressed not only Best Actor winner Leonardo Di Caprio and the adorable child actor Jacob Tremblay but he also nabbed Cate Blanchett and Naomi Watts, whose iridescent chevron patterned navy and purple column gown was considered by many to be the Oscar’s runway winner.
Back in Milan on his own personal runway, Armani presented a signature collection that honored one of the designer’s most beloved materials — black velvet. It’s pretty much impossible to think of an Armani show that hasn’t in one way or another, incorporate at least a bit of black velvet. And he is right, there is just something about this particular fabric that is forever elegant and refined.
Into familiar Armani tailored silhouettes and a few more uncommon relaxed shapes, he wove black velvet into almost every look, sometimes simply as an accent on jacket pockets or as a stripe down the outside length of a blazer’s sleeves. But it was more often used to create head-to-toe ensembles that incorporated feminine pastel shades for floral prints or abstract textural jacquard garments as a counterpoint to the inky hue.
One thing is for sure, Armani is a shrewd businessman. He might love black velvet for its tactile and mysterious appeal but the fabric is also a solid seller in stores. You don’t get to be where Armani is without knowing how to play to your audience.