MILAN: ARMANI F/W 09

It appears that in times of turmoil, society likes to look back to when the economy was booming and everything was coming up roses (who wouldn’t?).  Armani chose the same philosophy for his Fall/Winter ’09 presentation stating, courtesy of the program notes, that the “aesthetics and shapes have been chosen to update the somewhat theatrical impact of eighties-style fashion”. 

With an Armani Army of models, armed with fire-engine red lips on an alabaster skin canvas (think Robert Palmer Ladies), clad in black patent leather gloves (wrist to three quarter length) and berets, the models power-walked down the runway amid the classic musical hits of Tina Turner and Grace Jones – Armani F/W ’09 was clearly under way. 

Although the feeling of the show undoubtedly exuded that “power-woman” vibe from the eighties, Armani is Armani . . . is Armani, and has always held steadfast to that timeless, well-tailored aesthetic, that he has championed year after year, decade after decade – never cow-towing to any trends.

His show was filled, as always, with slim fitting, strong shouldered jackets – with and without lapels – slim, cropped pants, inverted-pleat tulip skirts that fell a few inches above the knee, a bevy of gorgeous capes fabricated in furs and luscious velvets, and perhaps the best – a silver reptile skin jacket. 

Of course, one cannot forget his alluring eveningwear looks; a stand-out being the asymmetrical, form fitting velvet dress, with one shoulder sparkling from embellishment.  

Armani has created his own universe, where, regardless of the economic temperature outside, everything always comes up roses (ehem . . .profits).  He has discovered a winning formula that never stops…. if only he could find a way to apply his winning formula to the world outside Armani.

Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.

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