Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Armani Privé turns 20. The Italian maestro, 90, celebrates with Paris couture and celebrities

Fashion maestro Giorgio Armani marked 20 years of his haute couture line Armani Privé with an elegant and emotionally charged show in Paris’s chic 8th arrondissement

Thomas Adamson
Tuesday 28 January 2025 14:31 EST
Italy Fashion F/W Giorgio Armani
Italy Fashion F/W Giorgio Armani (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Fashion maestro Giorgio Armani marked 20 years of his haute couture line, Armani Privé, with an elegant and emotionally charged show in Paris’s chic 8th arrondissement on Tuesday.

At 90 years old, the designer presented a collection diving into the archives of craftsmanship and moving some guests to tears as he took his bow at the end.

“Haute couture is fashion when it becomes art,” Armani said, describing the ethos behind Privé, the line he launched in January 2005. The name itself evokes rarity and exclusivity, serving as a platform for showcasing meticulous craft and timeless design, the house said.

This spring 2025 collection revisited iconic elements from Armani Privé’s past — with unapologetically glamorous results.

A segmented black gown shimmered with silver threads that gleamed like oil, Asian-inspired fitted jackets sparkled with intricate embroidery, and full skirts encrusted with crystals added both texture and weight, swinging heavily and noisily as the models walked.

Pearls featured prominently throughout the collection, used as embellishments and symbolic references to serenity, a recurring Armani motif.

The show’s setting, within the palazzo Armani and beneath gold-gilded ceilings, provided an intimate yet majestic backdrop for the celebration. Guests, including Demi Moore and Jessica Biel, were seen to tap their feet to the booming music.

While the collection embraced Armani’s signature balance of creativity and restraint, some pieces leaned on familiar themes, reflecting the designer’s adherence to his established aesthetic. Yet, this sense of continuity only heightened the timeless quality of the designs, reminding the audience why Privé remains a key part of the haute couture calendar.

The emotional highlight of the evening came at the finale when Giorgio Armani himself emerged to take his bow. Slowly walking the runway, the nonagenarian designer received a standing ovation from some in the audience, many of whom were visibly emotional by the moment.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in