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| Giorgio Armani |
Fashion Designer Giorgio Armani was born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, about 50 miles south of Milan, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. He attended medical school for two years, dabbled in photography, fulfilled his military obligations in 1957, then worked in a prestigious department store, La Rinascente, as a window dresser. He joined Nino Cerruti as a designer of 1961-1970. Armani began a free-lance design business in 1970 with the encouragement of his friend Sergio Galeotti, and established his own menswear label in 1974. He gradually adapted his designs for women and added women's wear line in 1975, in partnership with Galeotti (who passed away in 1985). Her sister Rosanna Armani teamed up with Armani as head of corporate communications activities.
Giorgio Armani
Armani, whose relaxed designs for women are inspired by men's wear, also uses men's wear fabrics in his sophisticated, unstructured jackets and suits for women. With this approach, Armani has set new standards of elegance: easy-fit garments for women, precisely cut and beautifully tailored.
He is known as a workaholic, which can sometimes be rude and arrogant. His dislike of fellow Italian designers Gianni Versace and Valentino has recently been pushed to the interests of the international press. In May, 1996, Armani was convicted of corruption in Italy, among other fellow designers like Ferre.
Armani has a house in Broni, Forte dei Marmi and Pantelleria (Italy), and in St Tropez (French Riviera).
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Selected Lines
* Armani Alta Moda (haute couture)
* Borgonuovo 21
* Giorgio Armani
* Le Collezioni (diffusion), since 1979
* Mani (diffusion)
* Emporio Armani (diffusion, younger customers, all over the world), since 1984
* A / X Armani Exchange (base, the United States only)
* Giorgio Armani U.S.A. (Lower prices)
* Armani Jeans
* Armani Neve (winter sports), since 1996
* Armani Golf (sports), since 1996
* Classico, since 1996
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Selected Awards and Recognition
* Neiman-Marcus Award (1979)
* CFDA International Award (1983)
* Semi-annual Pitti Uomo Italian men's fashion trade show in Florence celebrated the 1996-50 summer fair with a beautiful fashion show called "GAStory" portaying life and work of Giorgio Armani. The concept of this event was developed by well-known opera director Robert Wilson.
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Economic Data
Performance
Armani Group sales in 1994 amounted to 1270 billion Lira ($ 787 million), up 12.4% from 1993. Apparel accounted for about 850 billion Lira ($ 527 million), and accessories for about 420 billion Lira ($ 260 million). In 1996, group sales, including sales of licensed products up to about 2000 billion Lira ($ 1.3 billion). Armani-Group also includes Simint sportswear company, which handles all of Armani's informal lines. Armani himself holds 53% of assets Simint. Simint judged best perfoming stocks Milan, with an annual increase of 219% on stock prices. While Simint produce a line of Armani Jeans, Armani Junior label and Emporio Armani men's wear, women's clothing is produced by Emporio Antinea (sales in 1996: 150 billion Lira), 100% Armani offspring. Giorgio Armani Armani S.p.A. develop the label. In 1993, Giorgio Armani SpA showed 30% growth in sales of 695 billion Lira ($ 442 million), so the sales figures doubled from 1990. Two years later sales of 960 billion Lira ($ 590 million), up another 25% to 1200 billion Lira ($ 778 million) in 1996. Profit before tax for the Giorgio Armani SpA marked 325 billion Lira ($ 211 million).
Distribution
Largest export market
Armani is for the United States, where Armani labels are sold at 12,000 outlets. In 1995, Armani had 36 outlets carrying the exclusive Giorgio Armani and Borgonuovo-21 line. Emporio Armani outlets numbered 119 in 1995, with 54 in Italy and 22 in Japan. This figure increased to 121 stores in 1997 and is planned to increase by 8 in the near future. A / X Armani Exchange had only sold in the United States. In 1994, the A / X stores were taken over by Club 21 USA, Inc., but continuesly struggled to compete with competitors with lower prices such as Banana Republic. Today, Armani intends to open more A / X-outlet, as well as introducing them to customers in Asia for the first time.
Production / Licenses
The main Armani lines produced by Italy's largest manufacturer of designer clothing, Gruppo GFT. Armani clothing account for about 30% of the sale and licensing GFT GFT therefore most important. In 1994, Armani trying to take over the GFT with the help of American investors, perhaps to help Armani's sports affiliation, Simint, which had gotten into financial difficulties at the time. Now Simint recovered, after cutting its staff, changing the distribution structure, and concentrate production in Italy. Economic cycles can be achieved, resulting in 1995/1996 sales of 255 billion Lira ($ 160 million) and turned lose 24 billion Lira ($ 16 million) in the previous year with net profit of 5.4 billion lira ($ 3.5 million). Sales for fiscal year 1996/1997 expected to be 180 billion Lira ($ 117 million). Armani is said to be interested in expanding its own production capabilities. To that end, both are expected to shift production of its main Armani lines of GFT to Simint or Antinea or she will take over the shares of the GFT, which is expected to make such an offer to keep their most profitable clients.
In late 1996, Armani announced that from now on clothing under the label Armani Jeans-going attention to strict environmental standards, introducing a variety of clothing items that will be made of Hamp.
Between the Armani accessories, eye-wear collection constantly up to enjoy success. Armani sunglasses manufactured since 1988 by the Italian designer eye-wear specialist Luxottica and exclusively sold in specialty stores and boutiques wear Armani.
Distribution
Armani wants to expand its number of stores significantly. Most obviously, he opened two huge flagship stores in New York City on Madision Avenue, one for the top line and one for Emporio Armani. Armani seems to pursue the establishment of a lifestyle brand "Armani". This movement refelcted in efforts to offer a wide range of products under the Armani label. As in 1996 introduced Armani Neve winter sportswear line, Armani Golf sportswear line (both produced earlier by Skinea and now by Simint), and the introduction of custom-made wedding dress, as part of Borgonuovo-21 line. Also, Classico, and expensive new luxury line for men and women will be introduced. Here, Armani wanted to offer a modern interpretation of classic design. In addition, Armani sells a wide range of home accessories under the label Emporio Armani. In 1997, the first Armani Jeans store in Rome, Italy also included a Armani book shop, selling publications on various subjects of art, like fashion and photography.
The company licenses the name to perfumes, watches, and accessories, but apparel still accounts for more than half the income. Armani's retail empire includes more than 35 countries and includes nearly 280 stores. Armani has Simint, Italian Armani jeans license holder, and move the production lines in the house. Armani has plans to develop a series of luxury hotels and resorts. Although persistent flotation seduction, designers retain ownership of the company.
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