"I think there was a time when fashion had to provide certain women, cabinet ministers, CEOs or icons, with clothes that had a certain serieta," said Armani, using the Italian word for seriousness. "Now I believe we can be a little more casual."
In this fall 2012 collection, unveiled in the designer's south Milan headquarters on Monday, Feb. 27, Armani wants to see women in swirling skirts and dresses - finished just above the knee, and smartly dissected with huge horizontal bows - or faille coats cut with an assured flare.
Practically every model was wearing a hat in this show - from berets to mousquetaire hats to angled trilbies. All of them looked great.
Armani remains the most assured Italian colorist, most charmingly in a final sequined cocktail trio whose rosy hues recalled the remote pink beaches of Sardinia. Though for his finale, one model stood in statuesque black profile and enormous hat - just like the seductive spy version that was featured on the show invitation.
Seconds later, a tanned and bright-eyed Armani, sporting a small diamond cross under his open-necked shirt, took his bow, looking the healthiest he has been in many years.
Asked by FWD if the cross meant he was entering into a more spiritual moment, the 77-year-old designer laughed: "Do you mean growing closer to the church? It's a little soon, isn't it?
