DORÉ

When you step into the world of Armani, it’s kind of like entering a parallel universe of perfection.

When I arrived, I’d come straight from my JFK – Milano-Malpensa flight, with messy hair and rumpled clothes, so when I set foot in the lobby of the Armani hotel, on the 7th floor with a panoramic view of the rooftops of Milan, something in me changed. I suddenly carried myself a bit straighter. Here, everything was sublime, soft, subtle.

It was still early, and I was starving, so I decided to go have breakfast. I was led to the Armani restaurant, and there again, it was sweet perfection from floor to ceiling. You can see Giorgio Armani’s hand in even the smallest details, from the sugar pressed with the letter A to the floral arrangements done with the immediately recognizable Armani touch.

I admit I was a bit emotionally fatigued that day, so suddenly landing in this world did me a lot of good. The attention given to harmonizing everything immediately made me want to take better care of myself and others. I decided to go for a run to give me a little boost and help me feel less drowsy.

A few hours later, we were at Armani / Silos, a space in central Milan where Mr. Armani’s creations are displayed. The curation of the exhibit fits Armani perfectly. The clothes are organized by theme and by color rather than being displayed in chronological order. You have to get up close to them to see the date they were created, otherwise you’d never be able to guess. It’s completely and incredibly timeless.

Celebrities who have worn the dresses are not even mentioned, except for on the archive floor, where with a swipe of your hand, you can explore the entire history of each dress.

There again, I found something comforting in the obsession with harmony and simplicity. It feels like something solid, which is refreshing at a time when fashion is going a little bit in every direction.

After a brief chat at the café with the director of Silos, I went back to the hotel to work, then ended my day at the spa, where I had a lovely time perched on the top floor of the hotel. But as you might expect, disorganized as I am, I had forgotten my swimming suit, otherwise I would have dove straight into the pool.

There’s something really interesting about this world, a real parallel between fashion and lifestyle, and it’s that instant effect they can have on your mood and change your day for the better. It’s something I believe in more and more – experiencing fashion, experiencing “luxury” – that word we use so often, goes far beyond clothing. Thanks to the time I spent in the world of Armani, I feel like I have a better understanding of the creator, the man, and his message.

And the incredibly peaceful and timeless beauty of his world.

Translated by Andrea Perdue