Italian fashion designer known for understated elegance. Armani attended medical school for a couple years, then started in fashion as a window dresser in an Italian department store. He later worked for Italian designer Nino Cerruti. In 1974 he debuted his first menswear collection; today, he owns a fashion empire than has done very well indeed: in 2004, he was ranked 294 in Forbes list of the wealthiest people in the world. Lines include Giorgio Armani Borgonuovo (luxe), Armani Privé (couture), Le Collezione (diffusion line), Emporio Armani (upscale sportswear) and A/X Armani Exchange (denim & sportswear).
Fragrances are produced under licensing arrangments with L’Oreal. Armani’s first big fragrance success came with 1995′s Acqua di Gio for women, followed by Acqua di Gio for men in 1996.
Other fragrances include Armani Pour Femme (1982), Armani Pour Homme (1984), Gio (1992), Emporio Armani (1998), Armani Mania for women (2000), Emporio Armani White (2001), Sensi (2002), Emporio Armani Night (2003), Armani Mania Men (2002), Armani Mania Women (2004, new version), and Black Code (now renamed Armani Code) for men (2004).
Also see review for Emporio Armani City Glam for him (2005).
The Armani Privé fragrances
In 2004, Armani debuted a high-end niche line under Armani Privé; fragrances include Armani Prive Bois d’Encens & Eau de Jade and Armani Prive Pierre de Lune & Ambre Soie. Later additions include Cuir Amethyste (2006), Eclat de Jasmin (2007).
In 2008, a lighter range was introduced under the name “Les Eaux Armani Privé“, with Rose Alexandrie, Vetiver Babylone, Oranger Alhambra; in 2009 they added Cèdre Olympe.
In 2010, the One Thousand and One Nights collection, including Oud Royal, Rose d’Arabie and Ambre Orient, was introduced. In 2011, they added Cuir Noir.
Recent introductions include La Femme Bleue (2011).
The Armani Privé line is sold in the US at Barneys, Saks, Giorgio Armani boutiques or online direct from Armani (see link below).
Recent fragrances from Giorgio Armani
Recent mainstream releases include Armani Code for women (2006), Emporio Remix Lui & Emporio Remix Elle (2006), Armani Code for Women Eau de Toilette, Armani Summer Mania (2007), Armani Attitude (2007), Emporio Armani Diamonds (2007), Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) Red She & He (2007), Emporio Armani Diamonds For Men (2008), Emporio Armani Diamonds Intense (2008), Onde Mystere, Vertige, Extase (2008), Attitude Extreme (2009), Armani Code Summer (2009), Idole d’Armani (2009), Acqua di Gioia (2010), Summer Diamonds 2010, Armani Code Summer 2010 (2010), Acqua di Gioia (2010), Armani Code Sport (2011), Armani Code Summer 2011 (2011), Diamonds Black Carat (2011).
Where to buy
The Armani line can be found at major department stores or online fragrance discounters.
Website
Further reading
See all articles on Now Smell This tagged Giorgio Armani.
