urprisingly,thesparkthatignitedGiorgioArmani’s
ngobsession with Japanese culture had nothingto d
withfashion. It was the legendary films of Akira Kurosaw
including Seven Samurai, Rashomon and Kagemusha.
Hewas watching these movies and studying the worko
woodblock artist Utamaro when he designed one ofhis
most iconic collections, A/W 1981, which referenced
traditional Japanese dress partnered with modern Italian
fabrics. Armani has continued to travel to Japan andbe
inspired by its culture, particularly evident in his A/W 200
A/W 2011 and S/S 2015 Privé collections, and he return
once again this year to stage his cruise 2020 show inToky
“I love the simplicity and refinement of Japanese culture
Armani, now 85, told the gathered media before theshow
“It has a cleanness and a rigour that I continue tobe
inspired by.” The collection, shown at the Tokyo Nationa
Museum, is an accessible one by intention (“Resort
collections are mainly commercial — they have tobe
sellable,” he explained), which centres on fluid tailoring
and sporty menswear. Eighties-style power suits in charco
grey were belted with leather harnesses; perfectly cutslac
were held up with suspenders. “What is always importan
for me is to do Armani but to bring it forward,” the
designer continued. “This collection has a more relaxed
attitude but is still rooted in tradition.”STEFANO GUINDANI/COURTESY OF GIORGIO ARMANI
Left: Armani Privé
S/S 2015; all other
looks: Giorgio
Armani cruise 2020.
Far left: Mr Armani
in front of the
Armani/Ginza Tower
flagship in Tokyo.LOVE STORY
GIORGIO’S TOKYO
Mr Armani’s
Japanese bucket-listMORI ART MUSEUM:
“I always visit when I go
to Japan.”
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT:
“It was created by Issey Miyake,
a designer I truly admire.”
SENSŌ-JI TEMPLE
IN ASAKUSA:
“A tourist favourite I am
very fond of.”do
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withGiorgio Armani’s fascination with Japan is a
decades-long affair. His latest tryst? The cruise 2020
extravaganza in Tokyo. By Grace O’Neill