SimplyAbuDhabi XXXVII

His office uniform is pristine white trainers, navy trousers and a navy cashmere jumper. He favours the deconstructed tailoring that first put him on the map, after designing Richard Gere’s wardrobe for the film ‘American Gigolo’ in 1980. Dubbed the “master tailor” by The New York Times in the 1980s, Mr Armani has had an undeniable influence on fashion – he dressed men and women in soft, rounded suiting, defining the new working wardrobe of the late 20th century. It soon become clear that when you wanted elegant yet relaxed suiting, you went toArmani. “I made ease and sophisticated simplicity a powerful style tool, liberating men and women from many constrictions,” he says of his work. “That’s my achievement. That’s where I want to stand in fashion history.” The same rings true today: the impeccably dressed Ms Borghesi, who previously worked for Saint Laurent, is a walking ambassador for his tailoring. While not overly embellished, his home office features some of his favourite things. The minimal space, with low lighting and dark floors, is devoid of personal photographs, bar one: an old picture of himself, his two siblings, Sergio and Rosanna, and their mother, Maria. “She was stylish,” he sighs. “She had little money but look how modern we are dressed.” Next is a Matisse drawing, given to him by Eric Clapton. “I love him. Moltissimo. He is the greatest.” A cinema room is nearby, complete with plush recliners, and an extensive library, which is organised by theme. Decorative artefacts, picked up from his travels to the Far East, are scattered throughout. 082 | SIMPLY INFLUENTIAL I made ease and sophisticated simplicity a powerful style tool, liberating men and women from many constrictions.” SIMPLY INFLUENTIAL | 083 Mr Armani, while seemingly not a warm and fuzzy person, shares the elegant space with his true loves – two cats, Angel and Mari, and his talking blackbird, Merlino. There is also a larger-than-life gorilla in his living room, a discarded model from the Cinecitta film studio in Rome. When asked about the TV, he replies: “At the end of the day I take time for myself, just to think. I usually have a simple dinner at home, after which I like to relax in front of the television watching a good film or a TV series. I’ve watched all of them with the royals – I’m obsessed. I’ve just finished Catherine the Great with Helen Mirren.” Warming to the topic, we discuss the hit series ‘The Crown’. “The Queen is an institution and everyone knows her, but you can’t get close to her. The series is the only way to have an imagination of how her life could be. People are looking for a myth.” Did he dress Princess Diana over the years? “Yes,” he nods discreetly. “She liked our jackets.” Mr Armani’s female devotees are numerous. He became the go-to designer for Kate Winslet, Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and more, harnessing the power of celebrity long before multimillion-pound ambassador contracts were the norm. “He was one of the first people to use actors in their campaigns, and I was lucky enough to be one of them,” recalls Kristin Scott Thomas, who first met the designer in 2003. “I have collected some pieces from various collections and still wear them 17 or 18 years later.” Winslet has a similar history. “Armani’s elegance doesn’t go out of style. My daughter has her eye on a few of my gowns, so she’ll wear them one day. Stepping out on the red carpet is exciting, but it’s still a bit daunting, even after all these years. I know if I am dressed in Armani, I’m ready for anything – his gorgeous gowns give me stealth power”. He also counts the Beckhams as fans: they starred in an EmporioArmani campaign more than a decade ago. “His creative flair and eye for detail are legendary,” David has said. “He is a great person and a good friend who deserves all the love and admiration he gets from his industry, and anyone lucky enough to wear his clothes.” “