When the Giorgio Armani special rolled into New York City this evening, it was not a minute before time. “It’s such a treat for all us fashion children to have Mr. Armani here in New York,” observed Law Roach. “And the fact that he’s still doing it at 90, and that that creativity, the endurance, and the tenacity is still there, it’s incredible. You know, that show was chic, sophisticated, and it was why when we think about luxury, we think about Armani.”
Roach said this at the after-party that began in Armani’s railway station-themed show space at the Park Avenue Armory immediately following the last look’s departure. Trays were laden with both Risotto alla Milanese and plump cheeseburger sliders to signal the evening’s happy cultural conjunction. Guests included many Armani clients, some impressively arrayed in fine jewelry as well as full looks. Naturally, there were stars too. These included Brie Larson, Brooke Shields, Helena Christensen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, Sunisa Lee, Orlando Bloom, Liev Schreiber, Meghann Fahy, LaKeith Stanfield, Steven Yeun, Lily Allen, Penn Badgley, Laura Pausini, Hayley Atwell, Gemma Chan, James Norton, and Darren Star.
Plus, as Roach had referenced, the presence of Giorgio Armani himself—whose monumental status as a legend of our game transcends all style sectarianism—drew plenty of fashion citizens. Daniel Lee, already in town with Burberry, watched the show and lingered long after it. So too did Willy Chavarria, who said: “Just watching this show tonight was actually emotional. I started my career in fashion working in the stock room for an underwear company called Joe Boxer, back when Armani was selling at Macy’s and very, very hot. He was such an inspiration to me then, and continues to be today. Even now I would say you can sometimes catch a glimpse of Giorgio in my collections. He has so much heart, and so much ambition.”
Michael Kors recalled saving up at the age of 19 to buy his first-ever Armani jacket from Bergdorf Goodman. “And when I finally got it, I wore it everyday. You know, I think he taught women about power and men how to get in touch with their softer side. I think he’s a remarkable person not just for fashion people but for everyone to look up to… I don’t think there are many other designers in the last 100 years who have changed the way people look and live.”
Later the after-party evolved into a wild and wildly oversubscribed after-after-party up at Bemelmans Bar. For those locals who saw the house chiefly as a source of placid tranquility through harmonious design—and might not have attended its raucous post-show debriefs in Milan—this too-loud-to-talk and too-crowded-to-dance human maelstrom proved a positive eye-opener. “I think this is exactly what New York needed,” declared one sidewalk-stumbler once safely out of the Carylye Hotel’s revolving door.
.jpg)
.jpg)
