Emporio Armani: ‘I’ll Take Manhattan and Staten Island Too’
By Michelle Taylor
Photos by Giovanni Pucci

MILAN, Feb 26, 2004/ FW/ --- With a giant LED screen as a backdrop showing aerial shots of Manhattan with videos of the models currently on the catwalk projected on the screen, Emporio Armani’s Fall 2004 show was a techno dolls extravaganza.

Actually, the press notes said that the collection evoked the films that Luchino Visconti, famous Italian filmmaker noted for his historical films and crimes of passion movies.

The keyword is ‘evoked,’ because except for the ‘joie de vivre’ spirit shown by the models, they are a far cry from Luchino Visconti’s heroines.

With their shoulder-length crimped hair and perfect make up, the girls looked the female denizens of 1980s Manhattan. But, the 1980’s feel ends there.

The Emporio Armani woman is of today, albeit a little abstract at times especially with her mid-calf coat with a stacked collar and splattered paint in monochromatic hues of black, gray and old rose.

She looks smashing in the leather bodice hugging, short cropped black biker jacket and every inch the rebel in some of the Luchino Visconti films.

And trust the maestro to give a luxurious feel to the collection. With the mufflers made of fur, a girl cannot ask for more.

And Giorgio Armani’s biggest surprise was the finale.

Franco-Italian singer Yu Yu, attired in a sexy pink strapless dress (part of the collection of course!), sang – not lip-synched - “Mon Petit Ami.”

Magnifico!

Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani