Giorgio Armani conceded an exclusive interview to the New York Times correspondant Cathy Horyn, in the designer’s private home at Milan, 21 via Borgonuovo.

In this short interview, Mr. Armani sheds some light on his feelings about the brand succession and about his perspectives on current fashion and his critics. During a “short” lunch (the designer left soon after arriving – “I’m sorry about lunch, but please stay for something to eat.”), and a guided tour through the private home, some important (but not new) ideas were discussed.

About being so wealthy, and after being asked if the illness (the designer recently recovered from a severe health problem) changed his view on things, he remarks: “I never realized I was a rich man, funnily enough. Work has taken so much time. But I didn’t realize I was wealthy. With the illness, my relationship to possession has changed.”

Giorgio Armani considers the media, and specially his critics, to be too judgemental and dictatorial – “Mr. Armani should be doing pantsuits again.” as an example – but keeping true to himself, he says “They forget that I’ve already done that.”. Besides, he laments the amount of conceptual fashion on the runways. “It’s a defect that many designers have — Prada most of all.”

As for the succession, Mr Armani said “And if I choose someone from my staff, it will become more Armani than Armani. So what do I do?”. “(…) the solution is to remain here while I can and create a group of people that I can trust, with one person by my side.”

“I don’t think he really cares about what happens when he’s gone,” an anonymous source said. “I think he sees the company for his own interests.” Perhaps he believes the company is not Armani without Giorgio.

You can check the full interview and article on the New York Times!

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