As global warming continues to push temperatures skyward, the world of fashion faces a new challenge. Even the most sartorially dedicated individuals are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their chic image during the sweltering heat of the Milan Fashion Week. Enter Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer renowned for his soft, unstructured tailoring, who has crafted an awe-inspiring solution in his Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
Giorgio Armani, an icon in the industry, has risen to the occasion by creating garments from the lightest, most ethereal fabrics. These materials not only showcase Armani’s signature relaxed elegance but also allow the wearer to stay cool amidst the scorching summer heat.
His latest collection feels like a cool, stylish breeze flowing through Milan’s underground catwalk scene. With each step, models displayed an enchanting dance of fabrics, with their refined textures undulating, quivering, and rippling – a true spectacle even in the slowest of strides, taken in espadrilles and desert boots. So delicate were these creations that even the weight of AirPods in the pockets of one of Armani’s feather-light three-button jackets could induce a sag.
While most designers have seemingly abandoned the idea of business suits for the season, Armani remains one of the few who has boldly included them in his lineup. Nostalgically harking back to the ’80s, the collection even features double-breasted styles slung low with an air of confident swagger.
Yet, the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2024 collection leans more toward the relaxed side of elegance. He cleverly assembles ensembles from loose, subtly tapered dress pants in lightweight, fluid, and frequently lustrous fabrics. These designs resonate with his earlier Emporio Armani collection. Breaking the current Milan trend, Armani decidedly shies away from Bermuda shorts, preferring instead to keep shorts in their traditional role – “for vacations and if you have nice legs”.
Armani elevates his breezy pants with silky blazers sporting patch pockets. These blazers, akin to comfortable pajamas or cardigans, are paired with roomy blousons, the occasional safari jacket, or trench coat in lightweight linen. Armani primarily employs a neutral color palette, with prints largely geometric. Exceptions appear in the form of basket-weave and knot motifs.
One unexpected element in this year’s show was the conspicuous presence of GA logos, which adorned sweaters and scarves like a field of polka dots. Yet perhaps the most memorable part of the show was the enormous black pencil propped on the runway, which Armani warmly embraced during his final walk. This unexpected prop drew a link to his dedication to classic menswear and was seen as a symbol of his commitment to a timeless aesthetic. His press notes reflected this sentiment, stating, “Narrating a certain style is a constant process of writing and rewriting”.
The Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2024 collection thus reaffirms his status as a designer who can seamlessly marry style and sustainability. His commitment to creating clothing that is both elegant and suitable for a warming planet is a testament to his adaptability and unwavering vision. His design ethos could very well set the bar for future collections in this era of environmental change.
Read more: Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2024 – Milan Fashion Week Men’s
