Hours after being transported to a whimsical convent garden in France via Virginie Viard and Chanel, it was back to reality for guests of Paris Fashion Week, who were seated in a dimly-lit former bank building awaiting Giorgio Armani’s couture collection.
The set for the show was a taste of what was to come, the minimal aesthetic mirroring that of Armani’s latest offering: a pared back play on his signature silhouettes – a uniform which meets his loyal customers’ desires each season – but with a completely unexpected color palette.
Otherwise routine Armani shapes were offset with vibrant and eclectic colors, such as peacock green, fuchsia, red and black throughout the collection while intricate details hung off fitted gowns and beaded fringe blazers could be heard before they were seen.
The textile pattern Ikat, which is woven into the cultural histories of countries around the world, was a focus throughout the pieces, touching on Armani’s love of trans-global exploration.
Models – not one Hadid in sight – kept with the theme, donning angular wigs with bangs and small caps, the geometric shape of their hair playing off the organic textures within the collection.
As for the Cannes Film Festival red carpet later this year? Expect magenta and cobalt blue to reign supreme.
