Giorgio Armani in One Night Only in New York

Giorgio Armani took over northern Manhattan on Thursday with a star-studded show on Park Avenue; a party that includes a Chaka Kan concert and the most incredibly “private” of after-parties.

A parade held inside the Park Avenue Armory, where Orlando Bloom, Liev Schreiber, Pamela Anderson and Cooper Koch from the current Netflix series Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erick Menéndezposed for photos.

The enormous space organized in semicircles, where 650 guests sat expectantly as the lights dimmed and the first glances faded. The show featured Giorgio's exclusive spring/summer 2025 collection, traditionally shown in Milan, but this season transported to New York.

Respecting his unique colorless codes in a mixed show, Giorgio's key shades for women were mud, sand, faded roses and soft orange. For men, cement, lead and a wonderful pale gray dawn.

Her strongest appearance was in men's clothing. In fact, a generation of young design students should look at this collection, for its floaty sense of volume, its notable series of pajama pants and dhotis and its overall slender beauty.

Women's clothing was more unpredictable. In truth, there has been a whole summer baggy pants trend on the European catwalks. And Armani sent a dozen, sometimes with overly youthful appeal, though often with great charm when paired with cropped jackets and safari jackets.

However, in the evening she hit a number of home runs with some beautiful crystalline sherbet tunics paired with skinny pants, or baggy blouses and incredibly delicate peasant dresses dipped in mini crystals.

Presented in a winding maze of catwalks, where the cast stood at attention before Armani was the only one to wave in a corner of the vast space. Not even the presence of some PETA protesters detracted from this delicate moment, where the defining designer of the last half century received an avalanche of applause.

Additionally, the day before Giorgio had unveiled a new $400 million complex called Armani Residences on Madison Avenue. His house takes over the two most elegant hotels in the neighborhood, The Carlyle and The Mark, with stars, VIPs, clients and editors.

Giorgio's Thursday had begun with a personal appearance at his Bergdorf Goodman boutique, signing copies of his book. for love. Outside, 10 windows of the world's most luxurious department stores were personalized with looks from Armani's men's and women's collections. An elegant celebration of its historical links with Bergdorf, the first store to display Giorgio Armani's men's collection in the 1980s.

It ended with the ultimate post-Covid fashion after-party, where Too Many DJs put on an inspired set at Bemelmans, New York's classiest bar, while Leonardo Di Caprio and Tobey Maguire held court.

In total, two extraordinary days for the Italian maestro who celebrated his 90th birthday this summer. Good reason we caught up with the designer who never sleeps in the City That Never Sleeps.

Fashion Network: I had the honor and pleasure of joining you when you launched just one night in London in 2006. How has the concept evolved in the many cities you have visited? Why did you want to bring? just one night to New York this month?
Giorgio Armani: The beauty of just one night The format lies in its flexibility. It adapts to any place and occasion, but the central idea remains: everything happens in a single night. In this case, however, it is not just just one nightbut an event to celebrate a significant inauguration. What makes this moment special for me is that I'm not simply representing a collection; This is the debut of my spring/summer 2025 collection. It is a unique celebration of the Armani world and life in New York.

FN: You have a certain love affair with New York, what does the city represent to you?
GA: New York has always fascinated me. The first time I became aware of this was through the movies I saw when I was young, movies that shaped the way I saw the world. It later became the first metropolis to embrace my style, a style that came to symbolize a moment of cultural and social change. This connection has made my relationship with the city truly special.

FD: Since the opening of the first Armani hotel in Dubai in 2010, no other designer has created so many branded dual-use properties, hotels or towers. It almost feels like another race. Why has this project been so important to you?
GA: My expansion into the world of life began as a business opportunity, one that I saw as full of potential. The success of my projects so far has encouraged me to continue down this path, which has essentially become a second career, parallel to my work in fashion. These projects are important to me because they complete my vision: to bring my sense of style into people's lives and the spaces they inhabit. The guiding principle remains the same: my design should never overshadow those who live in these spaces. Rather, the space should reflect its occupants. I think this is where the success of these projects lies.

FN: What do you hope your legacy will be?
GA: The legacy I hope to leave is one of dedication, respect and vision of reality. Success in fashion comes from observing people, understanding their needs, and creating clothing that meets those needs. Deep down, I focus on making beautiful clothes. Fashion is a serious but deeply rewarding profession.

FN: And what new elements have you brought to your latest project on Madison Avenue?
GA: The Madison Avenue building has been completely redesigned, based on the 1940s architectural style, which has long been an inspiration to me. It stands out for its timeless elegance but integrates perfectly with its surroundings. The beauty of Armani's style is its ability to remain coherent while also harmonizing with its surroundings.

FN: Cinema has always been a key element in your creative process, since American gigolo in 1980. You were honored with a Style Award at the Drive Walk Rodeo in 2003. In your opinion, why has Hollywood (and so many great actresses and actors) always worn and loved your clothes?
GA: Initially, these actors came to me because they recognized that my style offered a new understated and natural elegance that allowed them to shine without going over the top. My designs introduced a sense of sophisticated ease and comfort into a space that was previously extremely theatrical. Over time, this created a bond that has grown over the years. For me, the person is always more important than the clothes they wear, and I think that is why people continue to choose my designs.