The Bite Magazine - Spring 2016 - Issue 15

the Caribbean island of Antigua. In 2007, he partnered with Samsung to create a luxury LCD (liquid crystal display) tel- evision and mobile phone as part of an expansion of his consumer lifestyle product line. And in that same year, his Armani Privé spring/summer collection fashion show was broadcast worldwide via Microsoft Corporation’s MSN Web portal and through Cingular mobile phones, making him the first clothing designer to broadcast an haute couture fashion show live on the Internet. As we all know there are different levels to the Armani brand: the first being Giorgio Armani, the high-end label that specialises in men’s and women’s ready- to-wear, accessories, glasses, cosmetics and perfumes.This particular label is only available in Giorgio Armani boutiques, specialty clothiers and selected high-end departmental stores. Next is Emporio Armani which features trendy ready-to- wear and runway collections, and focuses on trends and modern traits. Emporio Armani is the only diffusion line that is mainly designed by Giorgio Armani and has a spotlight at Milan Fashion Week. This clothing line can be found in free- standing Emporio Armani boutiques in high-end departmental stores. Armani Collezioni is a sub-label that focuses on business style aimed at an older age group while Emporio Armani aims at a younger age group. Collezioni provides made-to-measure tailored suits and shirts sold at their two freestanding boutiques in Milan and Paris, and also high-end department stores including Barneys NewYork, David Jones, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Armani Jeans is a bridge-line collection of denim-related clothing created in 1981, mainly sold in department stores, freestanding Armani Jeans stores across the world and an Armani Jeans Café in Milan. Some of the jeans are also sold in Emporio Armani stores. A|X Armani Exchange was launched in 1991 in the U.S. and retails fashion and lifestyle prod- ucts. It is also known for its occasionally provocative ad campaigns inspired by street-chic culture and dance music. Armani Exchange products are sold exclusively in 270 stores in 31 countries, and the most accessible Armani brand. Other brands include Armani Junior, Armani/Casa (furniture and home col- lection), Armani/Dolci (confectionery), Armani/Flori (florist) and Armani Hotels which consists of seven luxury hotels and three vacation resorts. Giorgio is respon- sible for overseeing all aspects of the interior design and style of the hotels. It is no wonder that he is known as a tireless worker who diligently oversees every detail of his operation, from the smallest adjustments in the design of a single garment to international financial deals. When his friend, business partner and rumoured lover Sergio Galeotti died fromAIDS-related complications in 1985, Armani considered retiring but instead chose to develop his brand further rather than abandon “all the hopes of Sergio”. Normally an intensively private person, Armani spoke at length about his relationship with Galeotti in 2000: “He helped me believe in my own work, in my energy.” Looking back at the memo- ries of Galeotti, Armani who believes his partner is still with him in the home that they shared added, “It is he who gives me the strength even now to continue.” The designer keeps a constant reminder of Galeotti through photographs that adorn the bedrooms of all of Armani’s residences.While he has received offers since 1999 from LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) and Gucci to form joint partnerships in which he would retain creative control of his fashion line, Armani has declined simply because since taking up the role formerly played by Galeotti, it has helped him get over his partner’s death. At the age of 81, we are so delighted that Giorgio Armani is still going strong and we totally salute this great man of fashion. www.giorgioarmani.com bitedesignerprofile