Giorgio Armani's Art Inspirations Unveiled at Armani Silos in Milan

Armani Silos in Milan, the exhibition space opened in 2015 by Giorgio Armani, reveals a hidden treasure: the artistic inspirations behind the designer's collections. The article traces these influences from the 1989 Spring/Summer collection, which distanced itself from 1980s excess and paid homage to Léon Bakst's costumes for the Ballets Russes and designer Paul Poiret. The 1993-94 Autumn/Winter collection borrowed a palette from Henri Matisse, featuring beige, jade green, fuchsia, orange, red, and violet tones reminiscent of the painter's flowers. The 1993 Spring/Summer collection was inspired by Paul Gauguin and Tahiti, incorporating ethnic forms and oriental dreams filtered through Western luxury. In 1997, Armani cited Anish Kapoor's sculptures for colors like coral, indigo, turquoise, and violet. The early 2000s saw references to Wassily Kandinsky's strokes and colors, and the 2001 Autumn/Winter collection featured a "Picasso blue period" homage. The 2005-06 Autumn/Winter collection "Elle a du charme" incorporated surrealist symbols, while the 2010 Spring/Summer collection alluded to Bauhaus. The 2022-23 Autumn/Winter collection showcased art deco influences with light and linearity.