2 March 2026 |
Silvana Armani steps into the spotlight. The niece of the late, great Giorgio Armani, became creative director of womenswear at the brand after his death in September 2025. The designer who has worked in the design team alongside her uncle since the 1980s was more than ready to take the creative lead. She’s lived and breathed the brand all her life and had the ear of her remarkable uncle. “One of the most important things he taught me is to always go forward, to materially carry out the work in a concrete way and offer clothes that are wearable,” she told WWD a few days before the show. She followed the great designer’s advice to the letter, for her ready to wear debut, presenting an elegant Giorgio Armani collection that evolved the Armani look while emphasising the core values of the house.
The opening pair of slouchy flannel trouser suits telegraphed the kind of effortless style that is a byword for Armani. The show opened with a masterclass in tailoring, where the devil is in the detail. Ms Armani cut with confidence.
Blazers and coats were stripped back but not to nothing. Collar-less jackets came with a triple row of pleats at the back, or rows of horizontal tuxedo pleats at the front. Long collarless coats some with shirt-tail hems in grey flannel or double-face had an almost monastic look, but paired with ivory slacks they looked ready for real life. Even the most flamboyant daywear piece – a tufted multi stripe maxi coat was worn with silk track pants and a T-shirt with beaded front pockets.
The Asian styles beloved of Mr Armani throughout his career, also caught Silvana’s imagination for Mandarin-collared quilted silk jackets, asymmetric silk shirts and sumptuous kimono coat, worn over rich burgundy velvet tops and matching trousers.
For evening Armani kept to her Asian theme, with chinoiserie silk bustiers worn with velvet trousers or beaded silk sarong style dresses worn over matching slim trousers.
Unpretentious and easy but elegant are Ms Armani’s guiding principles for this new era at the house.
Photography courtesy of Giorgio Armani.
