Inside the mind of a maestro

Why have you had such longevity? What’s the secret?

I’ve always chosen to create something of lasting value, which must respond to a precise model based on elegance, quality and comfort. To me, this is timeless: an aesthetic not tied to any specific moment, and certainly not trying to chase what is considered current. I approach each project, whether it be fashion or interior design, taking into account the relationship between form and function – a combination that can never be overlooked.

How have things improved since you started in the business? What are the innovations in the industry and in life that keep driving you on?

The best changes in fashion over the past 50 years have been technological, both in clothing production and in reaching different audiences through various channels. Technology is a bit of a double-edged sword, as it enables the development of new materials and solutions, but it can start to dominate our thinking. It’s a way to implement the product of the human imagination, and not a driving force in itself.

After 25 years, why does Armani/Casa continue to be such an important part of the business?

The decision not to evolve is fatal, in my opinion. What I try to do instead is to be coherent while constantly evolving. Early Armani/Casa designs were strongly linear, I would say almost geometric, with a solid taste and Japanese references, as represented by the now classic ‘Logo’ lamp. Over the years, however, I’ve discovered a certain softness, a taste for the artisanal nature of material and, if you like, a toned-down sort of luxury, which I now find is the key feature of the collection.

References to other cultures can clearly be seen in my furniture, to different ways of seeing space and living, yet what truly emerges is the love of the basic lines that enhance the material. In this sense, it is identical to my approach to clothes.

In the hedonistic days of the 80s, the Armani woman and man were out at the hippest parties and events. When you launched Armani/Casa in 2000, was this because the customer’s lifestyle had changed?

The objective was to bring my philosophy of style to the world of home. Armani/Casa reflects my style, my taste for sophisticated comfort and my passion for finding fine, rare materials. Through it, I present my ideal for living, my dream of the perfect environment – an intimate and sophisticated space in which to relax, unwind and entertain guests.

I have always aimed my work at people who share my philosophy. I don’t aim my products at any ‘target market’, but instead try to touch a range of people all over the world; people who are very different from each other, but who have the same penchant for what is beautiful, elegant and timeless.

What does the word ‘home’ mean to you?

For me, my home is a place where aesthetics are perfectly combined with functionality. I’m truly convinced that your home is a reflection of yourself, of your personality; it tells the story of who you are. My homes are places that are continuously changing; I like to embellish them with things I buy during my travels, I like to switch things up, for example, by rearranging the furniture. Each home is different, but they all reflect my story and my taste, my subdued meticulousness, my desire for simplicity and warmth.

In all of your properties across the world, which is your favourite room – the place you like to spend time and be truly yourself?

My favourite home is Milan, where my favourite room is the study on the third floor. I spend most of my time there. It’s a haven within a haven, for both work and reflection. I have a desk and a small armchair with an animal-print design, both designed by Jean-Michel Frank, which I absolutely love. I’ve often looked to his works to inspire my interior-design business, so you’ll find echoes of his clean style in my own décor.

What do you like about city living?

Milan is a city that is always dynamic, open-minded, growing and evolving. It has perhaps lost its sense of cohesion and security over the years, as well as some of its local colour, but some nevertheless remains. Today, everything is more dispersed, even more frenetic, but it couldn’t be any other way. There’s an exuberance you can feel walking through the streets. Milan continues to be a bit grouchy at times, with a dry but optimistic personality that I feel is very much ‘me’. The elegance of its spaces, colours and the people who inhabit it never ceases to enthral me.

You’ve just opened an incredible space in New York. Why is it such an important city to you and the brand?

My entire career has been marked by trips to the city. New York’s relentless pace truly inspires me, and it has been very powerful and emotional to see my spaces and creations brought to life and enjoyed by the public there. It was the most beautiful reward for all the hard work, and it reinforced my commitment to keep moving forward and to embrace new challenges.

Which of the themes and inspirations that you come back to again and again are the ones that have most power, do you think?

The objects that I collect on my creative travels are numerous, but there are elements that recur more frequently due to an affinity with my taste: the linearity of European design; the dry decorativism of samurai armour; the flashes of gold; the colours of the desert, and Maghreb culture. These are the echoes that run through the new collection presented at 2024’s Salone, where you can see influences from Europe, Japan, China, Arabia and Morocco.

The idea I would like to convey is that beauty and elegance have no boundaries and, indeed, are found precisely in the dialogue between cultures. Another recurring theme in my collections is art deco, which I love for the rich purity of its shapes.

How would you describe your legacy and achievements?

The legacy I would like to leave is one of commitment, respect and attention to reality. Success in fashion comes from observing people and their needs; offering clothes that meet those needs. The starting point remains the creation of clothes that are, first and foremost, beautiful. Fashion is a serious but wonderful profession. armani.com