Milan (AFP)

Milan Fashion Week celebrated on this second day the 40th anniversary of Giorgio Armani's Emporio line, of high-end ready-to-wear aimed at a younger and more trendy clientele.

The designer, who 18 months ago was the first to close the doors of his parade to the public as the Covid-19 exploded, presented his collection to an audience of guests.

"Finding the public is both exciting, but the public must still respond! We are again exposed to the risk: that of applause that may not happen, that of people who leave the room because they have a appointment! ", he commented at the end of the parade.

The Emporio line was born in the whirlwind of the 80s. Italian fashion then established itself on the international scene.

Giorgio Armani wants to expand his audience by targeting younger people and adapting to smaller budgets.

This is how he decides to create a more accessible clothing line.

"I remember the day I designed this eagle, which became the logo of Emporio. I was on the phone with Sergio Galeotti - at the time associate and partner of Arman - who said to me: we have to make our own Lacoste! I asked myself: what flies high, above everything? The eagle.

Giorgio Armani (L), his niece Silvana Armani and Leo dell'Orco after the Emporio Armani fashion show on September 23, 2021 in Milan MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

A success story that has lasted for 40 years and that Armani continues to write, playing on a repertoire that has become its trademark: at the time, the house shocked by being the first to introduce denim into its collections;

today, jeans patchwork looks opened the parade.

Elegance and sobriety, as usual, and a collection that looks towards distant countries, with fluid harem pants evoking the desert, mandarin collar shirts, bright colors from elsewhere.

Never rigid, for men, as for women, the materials are light, flexible: linen, washed silk, mesh for dresses, jackets, pants.

How do we continue to innovate?

To the question, the Milanese stylist responds without blinking: "By looking around and not doing what is proposed to you. This is my way of thinking and I will never budge".

© 2021 AFP