
Giorgio Armani has long been synonymous with understated elegance, but when it comes to haute couture, the maestro embraces a world of light, texture, and fantasy. For the 20th anniversary of Armani Privé, the designer unveiled a collection that shimmered with the intangible beauty of its name: Lumières. Staged in the newly inaugurated Palazzo Armani in Paris, the show was a masterclass in refinement, proving once again that Armani remains a reigning force in haute couture.
"Creating is my reason for existing," he has often said. And in Paris last night, under the glow of his own Lumières, he proved just that.
The location ...
The setting itself added to the sense of intimacy and grandeur. The newly restored Palazzo Armani, nestled in the heart of Paris' 8th arrondissement, provided an opulent backdrop of gold mouldings, stuccoed ceilings, and Venetian marble. This was a return to the origins of couture—an exclusive, almost ceremonial experience designed for those who understand its quiet power.
As the show reached its final moment, Armani himself emerged, impeccably dressed in a black velvet tuxedo, hand-in-hand with a model wearing a dazzling crystal-embellished ensemble. At 90, he remains an architect of timeless beauty, his vision undimmed.
The clothes ...
Privé has always been Armani’s canvas for experimentation, a realm where he moves beyond his signature minimalism to explore new depths of artistry. This season, the designer delved into the poetic essence of light, using it as both inspiration and material.
Over 90 looks cascaded down the pearlescent runway, each capturing a different facet of luminescence. Satin-finished gowns gleamed like liquid metal, embroidered tulle dresses flickered with crystal embellishments, and sheer layers played with opacity, revealing glimpses of skin beneath veils of shimmer. The effect was mesmerising – a study in radiance that felt both ethereal and deeply luxurious.
Trousers, a hallmark of Armani’s aesthetic, were given their own haute couture treatment. This was suiting at its most decadent: fluid, weightless, and adorned with intricate embroidery. Billowing trousers in shades of moonlit lavender and champagne gold were paired with pagoda-shouldered jackets, while kimono-inspired silhouettes hinted at Armani’s longstanding fascination with Eastern craftsmanship. The collection also paid homage to the House’s rich history, reviving elements from past Privé collections in a seamless dialogue between past and present.
Red-carpet glamour was undeniable. Strapless gowns sculpted to perfection, sheer crystal-studded dresses that recalled the decadence of the 1920s, and delicately beaded numbers that evoked the night sky, while a particularly striking look featured a back detail reminiscent of haute joaillerie, conjuring the sultry elegance of Josephine Baker in her prime.