Around a modern reimagining of an elegant lily pad lagoon, which flowed down the center of the Giorgio Armani catwalk, the iconic designer sent out a collection of easy transparency and youthful spirit on the last day of Milan Fashion Week.
As the stalks of the plants lit up to glow in colors that reflected those of the clothing, the collection proved itself to be another one of the designer's understated, yet colorful, beauties. In shades that faded back and forth from gray to red or navy to red, Armani kept things straightforward and sophisticated with an air of graceful nonchalance.
The pairing of glossy cuffed shorts with a matching semi-sheer tailored jacket embellished with beaded geometric shapes was both graphic and original. And the abundance of short-skirted cocktail dresses pointed to a desire to attract a younger woman (who wants to show off her toned legs) to the house. The same could be said for the inclusion of silk romper jumpsuits, which are really a young woman's game. Although the addition of a blazer into the mix helped to give the style a more grownup inference.
If there were any doubts left that this collection was focused on the real-world daily sartorial needs of women, the finale of the show put them to rest. A single trio of shimmering navy evening gowns, with hemlines glowing a bright red, made a lasting impression. But also subtlety stated that, for most women, event dressing makes up a very small portion of their wardrobe. Although any of those three evergreen gowns would have been a smart sartorial investment for any woman, no matter her age.