An entire area dedicated to eyewear in Giorgio Armani’s new flagship store in New York
The designer emphasizes his passion for eyewear by dedicating a prominent space to this accessory. In the brand’s latest runway show, both sunglasses and optical frames were also in the spotlight.
With this new building, Madison Avenue further consolidates its role as a fashion hub in New York. “For me, New York has always been linked to iconic films that have deeply influenced my imagination,” Armani stated, highlighting the city’s allure in the 1930s and 1940s, which served as inspiration for the project. In collaboration with SL Green Realty and the Cookfox architectural studio, the 9,000-square-meter building, spread over twelve floors, houses not only the Giorgio Armani boutique but also Armani Casa, a restaurant, and the Giorgio Armani Residences.
On the ground floor, the boutique, featuring eight storefront windows, reserves an important area for eyewear, an essential accessory for the maison, as confirmed during the Giorgio Armani show on October 17 at the Park Avenue Armory. The collection presented is inspired by the theme of travel, reflected not only in the fabrics and oriental details but also in the set design, which recreates a train station. Here, models are accompanied by a porter with suitcases, evoking atmospheres of times gone by. Numerous celebrities, including Amanda Seyfried, Orlando Bloom, Liev Schreiber, Brooke Shields, Pamela Anderson, Laura Pausini, and Paola Cortellesi, attended the event.
In a statement, Armani explained: “The Madison Avenue building evokes 1940s architecture, which has often inspired me. I wanted it to convey my message of subtle restraint and balanced, yet luxurious beauty.” This opening represents another step in a dialogue that began in the late 1970s, which Armani holds dear. “At a certain point in my career, I wanted to extend the principles of my fashion into design, creating a complete lifestyle experience with Armani/Casa and other projects that I have worked on and continue to develop,” concluded the designer.