“Space Age Giorgio Armani Prive”

Posted: 25 Jan 2011 07:20 AM PST

Paris – There was a major new departure by Giorgio Armani in his latest haute couture collection, a jet propelled take off into outer space, and a powerful re-launch of the retro futurism of the '60s in a path-breaking show in Paris Monday, Jan. 24.

Armani, the most rigorous and self-disciplined of designers, enjoyed an unprecedented time warp by reinventing his cut, silhouette, fabric choice and even color scheme in a revolutionary moment for the 76-year-old couturier.

Gone were Armani's non-colors of lichen, cement or mud; absent his fluid, linear cut and ejected his sense of classic symmetry. Almost the entire collection was composed of iridescent, metallic silk fabrics that shone and shimmered, almost like liquid metals, in molten reds, cobalt blues and vibrant greens. Armani also cut, chopped and slashed with asymmetrical dresses, twisting scallop neck tops and jutting tunics.

Topped by flying saucer hats - courtesy of London-based milliner Phillip Treacy - and anchored by Perspex-heeled platforms, the models marched down the catwalk in tony Place Vendome to a soundtrack of galactic funk.

But the key to this collection was the backdrop - huge images of beveled jewels in crimson and blue violets - colors and shapes reproduced in the dazzling jewels used as accessories.

"I wandered across a striking bracelet in a not particularly know jeweler in Milan, and the strength of the piece suggested that I take a new direction, something dazzling and strong," Armani explained.

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