2000s Giorgio Armani Vintage brown Ray skin leather clutch
View Similar Items
2000s Giorgio Armani Vintage brown Ray skin leather clutch
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Lugo (RA), IT
- Reference Number:Seller: A81001stDibs: LU602316713382
Giorgio Armani
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 his collections for men and women gained legions of admirers in Europe. However, 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 Giorgio Armani clothing on 1stDibs.
- Chanel Minaudière Moscow Leo Runway Rare So Black Charcoal Grey Metal ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Minaudière Moscow Leo Runway Rare So Black Charcoal Grey Metal Clutch Made in ItalyCategory
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- Faux Tortoise Shoulder Bag/Clutch, c.1980sLocated in Alford, MAConvertible clutch in faux tortoise shell features a textured goldtone clasp and gold chain. The chain folds away to convert to a clutch. Fabric interior with side compartment. Made ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Bottega Veneta "Shades of Gray & Black" Signature Woven Lambskin ClutchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYBottega Veneta "Shades of gray & Black" signature woven lambskin clutch measures 9" in length along the top and 12" along the bottom. The height measures 7" with a depth of 3...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Judith Leiber Antiqued Silver Alligator ClutchLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Antiqued Silver Alligator Clutch in excellent condition. Antiqued silver alligator exterior with black accents and top lifting closure. Black satin lined interior with ...Category
2010s Clutches
- Neiman Marcus Burnished Silver Minaudière Evening Bag c 1980sBy Neiman MarcusLocated in University City, MONeiman Marcus burnished silver minaudiere evening bag c 1980s The sleek evening bag has an intentional darkened silver metal patina. Designed with grooved vertical bands on a diagon...Category
1980s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Coblentz Patent Clutch with Glass Orb CharmsBy CoblentzLocated in New York, NYCoblentz Patent Clutch with Glass Orb Charm decorations which can be folded inside to use as well as a plain black clutch with enamel frame. 1950's USA. Does...Category
1950s American Clutches