Giorgio Armani's Mysterious Succession Plan Unfolds in Milan
For the first time since Giorgio Armani's passing, Milan has witnessed a glimpse into the designer's posthumous direction. At a recent show, Leo Dell'Orco, Armani's long-time collaborator and right-hand man of four decades, took center stage as the new overseer of menswear for the iconic fashion house.
The event marked a pivotal moment in Armani's history, with Dell'Orco stepping into the void left by his late mentor. The collection itself was met with positive reviews from industry insiders, who praised Dell'Orco's ability to maintain the brand's essence while introducing fresh elements that felt youthful and vibrant.
One notable aspect of the show was its color palette, which shifted away from Armani's signature "greige" hue in favor of jewel-toned tones such as amethyst, sapphire, and lapis blue. This decision not only paid homage to Dell'Orco's own design sensibilities but also tapped into the increasing appetite for vintage Armani.
The show's success has led to speculation about the future creative direction of the brand, with several names rumored to be in the running for the role of menswear director. Among them is Hedi Slimane, former creative director at Celine and Dior Homme. However, it seems that Dell'Orco's appointment may not be a temporary measure, as the show notes hinted at a more long-term positioning.
As the fashion world continues to grapple with Armani's posthumous legacy, one thing is clear: Dell'Orco has taken the reins and is steering the brand towards an exciting new chapter. With his 40 years of experience working alongside Giorgio Armani, it remains to be seen how he will balance innovation with tradition, but for now, the signs point to a promising future.
Armani's Board of Directors, recently appointed in November, is said to be activating the posthumous wishes of Giorgio Armani, who had specified that his heirs should sell a 15% stake in the business within 18 months. An additional 30-54.9% to a buyer will follow within five years.
As the brand navigates this transition, one thing is certain: Dell'Orco's vision for Armani is already taking shape, and it promises to be an exciting ride for fashion fans around the world.
For the first time since Giorgio Armani's passing, Milan has witnessed a glimpse into the designer's posthumous direction. At a recent show, Leo Dell'Orco, Armani's long-time collaborator and right-hand man of four decades, took center stage as the new overseer of menswear for the iconic fashion house.
The event marked a pivotal moment in Armani's history, with Dell'Orco stepping into the void left by his late mentor. The collection itself was met with positive reviews from industry insiders, who praised Dell'Orco's ability to maintain the brand's essence while introducing fresh elements that felt youthful and vibrant.
One notable aspect of the show was its color palette, which shifted away from Armani's signature "greige" hue in favor of jewel-toned tones such as amethyst, sapphire, and lapis blue. This decision not only paid homage to Dell'Orco's own design sensibilities but also tapped into the increasing appetite for vintage Armani.
The show's success has led to speculation about the future creative direction of the brand, with several names rumored to be in the running for the role of menswear director. Among them is Hedi Slimane, former creative director at Celine and Dior Homme. However, it seems that Dell'Orco's appointment may not be a temporary measure, as the show notes hinted at a more long-term positioning.
As the fashion world continues to grapple with Armani's posthumous legacy, one thing is clear: Dell'Orco has taken the reins and is steering the brand towards an exciting new chapter. With his 40 years of experience working alongside Giorgio Armani, it remains to be seen how he will balance innovation with tradition, but for now, the signs point to a promising future.
Armani's Board of Directors, recently appointed in November, is said to be activating the posthumous wishes of Giorgio Armani, who had specified that his heirs should sell a 15% stake in the business within 18 months. An additional 30-54.9% to a buyer will follow within five years.
As the brand navigates this transition, one thing is certain: Dell'Orco's vision for Armani is already taking shape, and it promises to be an exciting ride for fashion fans around the world.
just saw that Giorgio Armani's board of directors activated his posthumous wishes to sell 15% stake in the company within 18 months... like what's next? They gotta pay taxes on all that cash or something 
and now they're gonna appoint a new menswear director who's rumored to be Hedi Slimane... but I'm not sure if he can fill Giorgio's shoes, you know? 
Leo Dell'Orco seems like a good choice though, been with the brand for 40 years... fingers crossed he brings some fresh ideas without sacrificing tradition 
.
also i'm curious about hedi slimane being in the running for menswear director... he's got a solid track record at celine and dior homme, but it'll be interesting to see if dell'orco & co can replicate that success. 
. It's like he's trying to put the pedal to the metal and get that 15% stake sold ASAP 
. I'm not sure if it's just about the money or if there's some hidden agenda at play 
I'd say that's a nod to the old-school approach, but Dell'Orco's got some fresh ideas up his sleeve 
. Some people might say it's just about keeping up appearances, but what if he really does want to shake things up? 
The thing is, we'll only know for sure when the dust settles and Dell'Orco has a clear vision for where Armani's headed.
. Who knew Giorgio Armani was such a shrewd businessperson behind the scenes? 
The fact that Giorgio Armani's posthumous direction is being led by Leo Dell'Orco, a collaborator with 40 yrs of experience, is pretty impressive! 
According to recent market trends, menswear sales have been on the rise in Europe, especially among Gen Z consumers. 
The color palette shift towards jewel-toned tones is an interesting move, considering it's a nod to Dell'Orco's own design sensibilities and taps into the nostalgia for vintage Armani. 
In 2024 alone, Armani reported a 10% increase in revenue, with sales reaching €2.3 billion. 
As of last Q1, Armani's board members have increased their stake in the company by 25% over the past year, indicating a possible shift in focus towards long-term growth strategies. 
. also, those jewel-toned tones are 
i know some ppl might b like "but what about giorgio???" but cmon, leo dell'orco has been by his side 4 decades! he knws exactly wut makes the brand tick. and that new color palette? 
can't wait 2 c what he brings 2 armani! 
i mean i know some people are all about that vegan life but honestly i was skeptical at first too... took a bite of their margherita and i'm hooked now my wife is actually the one who convinced me to try it lol anyway back to Armani - i wonder if Dell'Orco's new direction will be more experimental or will they stick to what worked in the past 
. Now, it's interesting that there are rumors about other names being in the running for this role, but Dell'Orco's appointment seems solid for now. With his experience and Armani's board activation, I'm curious to see how he'll balance tradition with innovation... will we get more vintage-inspired pieces? 
! It'll be cool to see how he balances innovation with tradition - I guess only time will tell 
. The show was pretty fire btw, loved the new color palette 
, not sure about those jewel tones tho 
!
. Like, how many times do we need to see the same old thing? The fact that Leo Dell'Orco's appointment seems more like a long-term move than a temporary fix just feels like more of the same to me 
. And what's with the emphasis on "young and vibrant" design? Can't they just stick with what made Armani great in the first place? 
The whole thing just feels like a calculated PR stunt to me 
.
like he's been prep'd by giorgio armani himself and now he gets to carry on his legacy, which is such a big responsibility but also super cool! 
... but, you know, it worked out pretty well for him too. I'm curious to see who else will be vying for the role, maybe someone who'll bring a fresh perspective? Not sure if anyone can replicate Giorgio's magic, though 
. The new color palette is a nice touch, it feels like he's bringing back some of that classic Giorgio vibe without being too predictable. And you know what would be awesome? If they brought back those iconic Armani ads from the 90s 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see Hedi Slimane trying to recreate those? Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how Dell'Orco's vision plays out, but for now, I'm just excited to see what he does next 
. Maybe this is the fresh start Armani needs? 
️.
The article says it's just an "event" and doesn't provide any concrete evidence. Also, what makes Dell'Orco think he can balance innovation with tradition when he's never held the creative director role before? How much did he actually contribute to Armani's success? More context pls! 
he's been with armani for ages & has a deep understanding of the brand's DNA. i love how they've brought in some fresh vibes to the show tho - those jewel-toned colors are giving me life 
. I'm intrigued by the rumor of Hedi Slimane being in the running for menswear director - I think Dell'Orco is solidifying his own design direction here, no need to mess with a winning formula 
. The color palette was on point, and I love how they're tapping into vintage Armani vibes