Giorgio Armani's Passing Leaves Fashion World in Flux as Leo Dell'Orco Takes Helm
The fashion world was abuzz on Monday in Milan as Leo Dell'Orco, Giorgio Armani's longtime collaborator and right-hand man of four decades, made his debut as the new creative force behind the iconic Italian fashion house. The show marked a significant moment for the brand, which has been navigating its future since Armani's passing in September.
Under Dell'Orco's guidance, the menswear collection took on a fresh yet familiar tone, blending timeless elegance with modern sensibilities. Gone were the signature "greige" tones that defined the brand under Armani, replaced by jewel-like hues such as amethyst and sapphire blue. Velvet and leather made appearances in classic Armani suiting, while 1980s-inspired bomber jackets and aviator-style coats added a touch of nostalgia to the runway.
The show's positive reception from industry insiders suggests that Dell'Orco has successfully distanced himself from the iconic brand while honoring its legacy. "It definitely felt like the brand wasn't trying to reinvent itself after Mr Armani's passing," said Zak Maoui, style director at Gentleman's Journal. "Dell'Orco left his mark without distorting the lasting memory we have of the iconic brand that Armani built."
With Dell'Orco at the helm, fans are eagerly awaiting the future of the fashion house's biannual collections. Rumors are circulating about potential creative successors, with Hedi Slimane, former Celine and Dior Homme creative director, being the most frequently mentioned candidate.
The appointment of a new board of directors in November is said to be activating the posthumous wishes of Giorgio Armani, who was known for his vision and forward-thinking approach. According to reports, his will includes plans for the brand's future, including the sale of a 15% stake within 18 months and an additional 30-54.9% in five years.
As the fashion world adjusts to this new chapter in Armani's history, Dell'Orco is poised to lead the brand into uncharted territory with his own distinct vision. Only time will tell how he will navigate the complexities of creative direction while staying true to the iconic legacy left behind by his mentor and friend, Giorgio Armani.
The fashion world was abuzz on Monday in Milan as Leo Dell'Orco, Giorgio Armani's longtime collaborator and right-hand man of four decades, made his debut as the new creative force behind the iconic Italian fashion house. The show marked a significant moment for the brand, which has been navigating its future since Armani's passing in September.
Under Dell'Orco's guidance, the menswear collection took on a fresh yet familiar tone, blending timeless elegance with modern sensibilities. Gone were the signature "greige" tones that defined the brand under Armani, replaced by jewel-like hues such as amethyst and sapphire blue. Velvet and leather made appearances in classic Armani suiting, while 1980s-inspired bomber jackets and aviator-style coats added a touch of nostalgia to the runway.
The show's positive reception from industry insiders suggests that Dell'Orco has successfully distanced himself from the iconic brand while honoring its legacy. "It definitely felt like the brand wasn't trying to reinvent itself after Mr Armani's passing," said Zak Maoui, style director at Gentleman's Journal. "Dell'Orco left his mark without distorting the lasting memory we have of the iconic brand that Armani built."
With Dell'Orco at the helm, fans are eagerly awaiting the future of the fashion house's biannual collections. Rumors are circulating about potential creative successors, with Hedi Slimane, former Celine and Dior Homme creative director, being the most frequently mentioned candidate.
The appointment of a new board of directors in November is said to be activating the posthumous wishes of Giorgio Armani, who was known for his vision and forward-thinking approach. According to reports, his will includes plans for the brand's future, including the sale of a 15% stake within 18 months and an additional 30-54.9% in five years.
As the fashion world adjusts to this new chapter in Armani's history, Dell'Orco is poised to lead the brand into uncharted territory with his own distinct vision. Only time will tell how he will navigate the complexities of creative direction while staying true to the iconic legacy left behind by his mentor and friend, Giorgio Armani.
he brought that classic vibe back w/ a fresh twist. those greige tones were always a bit meh for me anyway 
so it's cool to see them gone. got a bad feeling about the rumors of hedi slimane tho 
can't wait to see how dell'orco runs with the brand though, hopes he stays true to armani's legacy 
It's been so overdone for ages, if you ask me. I mean, what's next? Bringing back the mullet? 
Dell'Orco might just be a breath of fresh air with his bold new colors and fabrics. And hey, maybe it's time for Armani to shake off its stuffy reputation and become more relevant to younger fashion enthusiasts. The fact that people are already speculating about potential successors is just proof that the old guard can't keep up anymore 
I'm totally stoked about this new chapter in Giorgio Armani's history! Leo Dell'Orco taking over as the new creative force is a dream come true for many fans of the brand. The way he blended timeless elegance with modern sensibilities was pure magic 
. And can you blame them for keeping the essence of "greige" tones while introducing fresh jewel-toned hues? It's like they say, "the show must go on" and Dell'Orco is ready to shine! 
The fact that he's staying true to Giorgio Armani's legacy but also putting his own spin on it is super inspiring. Fingers crossed for a brighter future in fashion 
it feels like just yesterday he was strutting down the runway in milan, still got those iconic sunglasses on 
he might not be giorgio himself but i trust him to keep the armani legacy alive 
personally speaking tho, i did have a super weird dream last night where giorgio was talking to me about his will 
i woke up thinking maybe there's something up with those plans for the brand... anyway, what do u guys think leo can live up to? 
. dell'orco's got his own style now, and we should give him a chance to shine on his own terms 
, but leo's taking the reins and it's gonna be interesting to see how he navigates this new chapter 
it's like he's carrying on the legacy without trying too hard, you feel? i loved how they mixed up the classic greige tones with these rich jewel colors, it's a nice nod to armani's style but also shows dell'orco is bringing his own thing to the table. and can we talk about those 80s-inspired bomber jackets tho 
i'm curious to see what he does with the brand next year, especially if there's gonna be some new creative folks coming in. hope they can keep up the good vibes 
... replacing Giorgio Armani as head of Armani? and he's trying to keep the brand fresh but still feel like Armani? that makes sense i guess, like a new chapter in a book 
...and now there are rumors about hedis slimane being in the running? like, can we just get a decent leader for once instead of all these power struggles 
. and whats up with this whole "activating giorgio's will" thing? is that even possible? 
i mean, those amethyst & sapphire blue colors tho... genius! and yeah, no more greige 
it feels like a new chapter for the brand but also kinda sad that we wont get to see more of giorgio's creations anymore 
anyway, im so excited to see what leo brings to the table! those 80s-inspired bomber jackets sound like my jam 
and i love how he kept the timeless elegance vibes going 
cant wait for the next collection 
. And now they're talking about selling off parts of the company? That just smells like a money grab to me... I'm sure Giorgio Armani would never have wanted it this way 
. The show was fine, I guess, but who cares when the person behind it all is some unknown entity trying to fill an iconic void? We'll see how long that lasts...
, as leo dell'orco has shown us, taking the reins from giorgio armani's legacy isn't about erasing the past, but building upon it with fresh eyes 
. it's also a testament to the power of mentorship & friendship - Dell'Orco's ability to stay true to his friend and former boss while putting his own spin on things is truly inspiring 
, we should all be so lucky to have someone like that in our lives 