Giorgio Armani's clothing was recently featured in a special exhibition at the
Guggenheim Musium in
New York. The description reads:
One of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century, Giorgio Armani has been universally recognized for both radically changing the rules of fashion in our time and creating an iconic vision of modern dress. By removing excess ornament from clothing and translating traditional sportswear looks into business- and eveningwear, Armani has developed the relaxed style that defines the contemporary wardrobe. Giorgio Armani, with an innovative design by Robert Wilson, presents Armani's work and celebrates his legendary career.
It fails to include that immediately upon the decision to feature the designer's
work, the Guggenheim recieved a '
donation' of 15 million from none other than Giorgio Armani. Giorgio Armani is the highest paid fashion designer at 100 million dollars last year, more than the second and third,
Donna Karan and
Calvin Klein combined.
In my opinion,
Armani is the
Gap of couture-- selling out to conformity and the
masses.
Armani Exchange is the sole proprietorship of
label whores,
Emporio is trashy, and
Black Label lacks any design revolution that
couture is supposed to inspire.
What happened to the real couturiers, who focused more on fitting original clothing to the individual, rather than consumerism? Like
Balenciaga,
Hubert de
Givenchy, or Coco
Chanel? They're gone-- Perhaps just another effect of
modernity.