In 1981, Italian designer Giorgio Armani launched Emporio Armani, a diffusion line focused on younger buyers. The line is known to today's '80s and '90s fashion lovers for its striking eyewear, suits, watches and more, and Emporio Armani's visually bold campaigns have featured the likes of Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Rafael Nadal and other popular figures.
Fashion may be a fluid industry that evolves with the times, but few designers were gutsy enough to break with the norms and endeavor to revolutionize it the way Piacenza, Italy, native Giorgio Armani did.
When he established his brand with his personal and professional partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, in 1975, Armani created jackets, evening dresses and other clothing that sharply departed from the form-fitting designs that his competitors were producing.
Working with a subdued color palette and light fabrics, Armani instead pioneered power dressing. By the early 1980s, the designer was lauded for his sleek but relaxed-fit shirts in washed greens and beige tones for men and elegant, broad-shouldered suits for career-minded women. His collections were intended to fit naturally but confer a sense of confidence on the wearer, and the designs were just as luxurious as the garments that were gliding down Milanese catwalks at the time.
Armani, a shipping manager’s son, spent his childhood wanting to become a doctor, and he even studied medicine briefly at the University of Milan before dropping out and joining the army. In the late 1950s, he was hired as a window dresser at the Milan department store La Rinascente before moving into the role of menswear buyer. When he realized that his calling was in fashion design, not buying, he left La Rinascente to train at Nino Cerruti’s atelier and eventually began to take on what became a wealth of freelance design work.
At Galeotti’s urging, Armani opened his own design office in 1973, and two years later, he established his eponymous label of ready-to-wear for both men and women that challenged fashion’s traditional silhouettes and the conventions of tailoring.
“I was the first to soften the image of men and harden the image of women,” Armani has said of his early years. The designer dressed men in soft textures such as silk and linen that were traditionally relegated to feminine garments and designed power suits for women — an audacious and undeniably androgynous take on high fashion that was well received by critics. He won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1979 and launched a diffusion line called Armani Collezioni that year. While his collections for men and women gained legions of admirers in Europe, it wasn’t until the premiere of the film American Gigolo — featuring heartthrob Richard Gere exclusively outfitted in a crisp, sleek and sexy Armani wardrobe — that the brand took off in the United States.
Today, Armani is still designing ready-to-wear collections, and the luxury house has expanded over the years into home decor, hospitality and more. In February 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Armani was the first fashion house to close its runway shows to the public in order to limit exposure. In early 2022, the brand was among the first to cancel men’s and haute couture shows scheduled in January.
Find vintage Emporio Armani clothing, eyewear and accessories on 1stDibs.
Emporio Armani 18K Gold Crystal Pendant Earrings, Italian Design
By EMPORIO ARMANI
Located in New York, NY
A Modern Touch of Italian Glamour Enhance your jewelry collection with these Emporio Armani 18K Gold and Crystal Pendant Earrings, combining sleek Italian design and refined luxury....
Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Wide Woven Design Huggie Hoop Earrings #23208
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18k Yellow Gold Wide Woven Design Huggie Hoop Earrings Rich in texture and timeless in elegance, these 18k Yellow Gold Huggie Hoop Earrings feature a beautifully woven design that a...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Italian Hammered 18K Yellow Gold Clip-On Hoop Earrings
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
These elegant clip-on earrings are crafted in hammered 18K yellow gold, forming a refined, sculptural hoop that catches the light with every movement. The textured surface gives them...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$2,633 / item
H 0.83 in W 0.83 in D 0.44 in Dm 0.83 in L 0.83 in
Italian 18k Gold Hoop Earrings Made in Italy by Oltremare Gioielli
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Made to order 21 mm diameter beautiful hoop earrings crafted in polished and raw solid gold 18k Available in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold The earrings are secured by a tru...
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$4,403 / item
H 1.19 in W 1.19 in D 0.4 in Dm 1.19 in L 1.19 in
Hoop Earrings in 18k Gold Made in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
30 mm diameter beautiful hoop earrings crafted in polished and raw solid gold 18k. The earrings are secured by a trusty snap lever closure. Size : 30mm diameter x 11 mm large Availab...
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$3,369 / item
H 0.87 in W 0.36 in Dm 0.87 in L 0.87 in
18k Twisted Gold Hoop Earrings Designed and Crafted in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Made to order Twisted hoop earrings, designed and crafted in Italy. The Eleganza collection is inspired by the voluptuous shapes and sinuous movements...
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$6,030 / item
H 1.3 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.3 in L 1.3 in
18k Twisted Gold Hoop Earrings Designed and Crafted in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
The Eleganza collection is inspired by the voluptuous shapes and sinuous movements of the precious fabrics worn in fashion shows. The Eleganza twisted hoop earring looks like a spiral of light, a ribbon of precious fabric that curls in the wind, the delicate striped decoration embellishes it and makes it shine with a unique and special light. 14k gold 33mm diameter 13mm large modern and elegant designed and crafted in Italy...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,834 / item
H 0.71 in W 0.28 in D 0.28 in Dm 0.71 in L 0.71 in
18k Gold Half Hoop Earrings, Oltremare Gioielli Gold Earrings Made in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
18 mm diameter beautiful half hoop earrings crafted in polished and raw solid gold 18k Available in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold, 18k or 14k on request. The earrings are se...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,960 / item
H 1.26 in W 0.44 in Dm 1.26 in L 1.26 in
Oltremare Gioielli Pearl Hoop Earrings Designed and Crafted in Italy in 18k
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Oltremare Gioielli hoop earrings, natural white Akoya pearls, Japanese pearl earrings. 32 mm diameter beautiful hoop earrings crafted in polish...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,935 / item
H 1.3 in W 1.23 in Dm 1.3 in L 1.3 in
Oltremare Gioielli 18k Gold Hoop Earrings Made in Italy, Italian Gold Jewelry
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Discover timeless elegance with our Made to order 33mm diameter Large Hoop Earrings. Handcrafted in Italy by Oltremare Gioielli, these Modern Gold Hoop Earrings exude sophistication in 18k gold. Elevate your style with these Contemporary Gold Earrings...
18k Gold
$4,880 / item
H 1.07 in W 1.07 in D 0.48 in Dm 1.07 in L 1.07 in
18k Gold Hoop Earrings, Oltremare Gioielli Gold Earrings Made in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
27 mm diameter beautiful hoop earrings crafted in polished and raw solid gold 18k Available in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold, 18k or 14k on request. The earrings are secured by a trusty snap closure. The approximate total weight is 10 grams in 18k The production time of this jewel varies from 4-6 working weeks. Our jewelry is exclusively made to order, can only be purchased online and is not available on the wholesale market. All the jewels are designed by us and are entirely made in Italy. Customizable Materials: 14k solid yellow gold, white gold, rose gold 18k solid yellow gold, white gold, rose gold Each item comes inside an elegant gift box which is perfect to preserve your jewelry while you're not wearing it. If you would like to include a gift note in the parcel, please leave us a message with your order about the content of the note. Each jewel will be very securely packaged in ultra-weight crush-proof boxes, with plenty of padding. The item will be shipped with insured express shipping from Italy. Shipping: Free shipping worldwide The item will be shipped within the given deadline Production time for this jewelry varies from 3-4 working weeks. -Orders placed in the second half of July will experience a delay in delivery due to our workshop being closed for vacation in August. Our workshop is usually closed for 4 weeks during August, so orders placed during this time will have a longer processing time and will be delivered by mid-September. Thank you for visiting our shop! Oltremare Gioielli
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.19 in W 0.08 in L 1.11 in
Marco Bicego Italian 18k Yellow Gold Twisted Hoop Earrings
By Marco Bicego
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Add these classic 1990s Marco Bicego Italian 18k yellow gold hoop earrings to your collection and enjoy everyday luxury. The modernist design features a unique, twisting shape along ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,741 / item
H 0.75 in W 0.14 in Dm 0.75 in L 0.75 in
Oltremare Gioielli 18k Diamond Gold Hoop Earrings Designed and Crafted in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Made to order Diamond hoop earrings, designed and crafted in Italy. Elegant earrings made in Italy in 18k solid gold with natural diamonds. 18k gold Size : 19mm x 19mm x 3,3 mm Gemst...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Iris Apfel Estate Personal Emporio Armani Lizard Brooch Pin Black Gemstone
By EMPORIO ARMANI
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a magnificent Armani treasure from the personal wardrobe of the legendary style icon Iris Apfel. We have her absolutely fabulous Emporio Armani lizard on a black faux diam...
Gilt Metal
EMPORIO ARMANI Necklace Silver & Black Sterling Silver Leather Chain
By EMPORIO ARMANI
Located in San Francisco, CA
Emporio Armani Necklace consists of 'Sterling Silver' and leather material in a silver and black color tone. Designed with section cut-off that...
Sterling Silver