Armani continues to be one of the most sought after brands, known primarily for its classiness and subtle elegance. The unique philosophy of Armani has led it to be a global empire, sparking interest from other designer fashion labels who have wanted to partner with the brand. Mr. Armani has declined all offers and instead plans to leave his company with a team of individuals that will be able to run the business without his presence. This structure includes his two nieces who will carry on his legacy. In the meantime, Armani will continue to excite the fashion industry by offering stylish clothes and accessories that are on the cutting-edge of fashion.

To much surprise, Armani never received formal training in fashion design. Instead, he was born into a humbled family living outside of Milan and graduated from a public school. He then started his college education at the University of Milan and in 1957, got a job working at a department store. This exposure further ignited Armani’s interest in designing clothes and in 1964, Armani designed a line of men’s clothing for Nino Cerruti. With this success, he expanded his horizons, left Cerruti and became a freelance fashion designer. It wasn’t long after that Armani became a name synonymous with high-end men’s fashion. Armani showcased his bomber jackets at the elite Sala Bianca fashion show in Italy in 1973. What made these bomber jackets so spectacular was that they were made from leather. At the time, leather would not have been used in this context, and this is what made Armani a design genius. The following year, Armani opened his fashion house and continued to offer unique fabrics in unexpected ways. He redesigned the men’s business suit by using a clean and uncomplicated approach that focused on a loose and relaxed look. This was a refreshing update, as the men’s suits of this time period were close-fitting and unventilated.

The new face of men’s business suits was an instant success, and several months later, Armani went on to offer a similar tailored jacket for women. The style was rather masculine and incorporated the same fabrics as the menswear line. Simple and soft, this jacket was an avant-garde approach to women’s clothing and instilled confidence and authority in those who wore it. Armani was soon regarded as the man behind the “power suits”, and he was the first fashion designer to appear on the cover of Time Magazine since 1940. He had a strong influence over the fashion market and was the force behind an international economic boom that started in the 1980s. Armani’s sophisticated clothing took the fashion industry by surprise, as many of the styles could be described as androgynous. Armani used a neutral color palette, incorporating shades of beige and grey. His cuts were clean and simple; not overly feminine or masculine. This was a huge change from the recent fashion trends, which had men wearing handsome suits and women wearing long, flowered skirts and dresses. Yet as more women entered the work world and were in need of a wardrobe that was both professional and attractive, Armani’s distinct tastes were the perfect match. This new gender-neutral line of clothing was tasteful and sophisticated, and fashion critics who once questioned the label were overridden by consumers who took an immediate liking to it. The brand has a variety of sub-labels that cater to specific groups. This smart marketing approach has given the company even more success, as the designer look can be worn by all types of individuals, not just professional men and women that the signature line was intended for. For example, Emporio Armani is geared toward the 25-35 age groups and offers a variety of contemporary designs. Armani Collezioni is an affordable fashion line that comes 20% cheaper than Armani’s signature line. It’s designed for those who love the Armani look but can’t afford the high price tag. Armani Jeans is a collection of denim jeans that are marketed toward the 18-30 age groups, selling trendy designs that don’t compromise luxury. Armani uses ethnically diverse runway models to showcase the variety within the label. And this season is no exception, as Armani models showcase the label’s opulent fabrics, avant-garde designs and subdued color palette. Part of the recent trends are dark colored trousers, sleeveless tops with shoulder necklines and tailored jackets. The trousers come in a variety of cuts, some straight-legged and skinny, while others are loose-fitting, soft and sport a masculine hemline. Shades of blue and black are the focus of the collections, which incorporate stunning crystals or faux fur to dress up the handsome outfits. The inspiration behind the Winter 2011/12 runway shows was the “woman of mystery”, with dark eye glasses and sharp, pointed hats worn low on the forehead. This mysterious look was captured in many of the designer’s creations, balancing a look of elegance and curiosity. Other highlights from Armani’s newest collections include long, trench coat jackets, chiffon dresses that fall at the ankles and layered skirts that have a Goth-like appearance.