Salvatore Ferragamo -- Armani's Front-Row for Black's Debut
By J.J. Martin
Photos by Gruber-FWD
MILAN, Oct 2, 2002/ FWD/ --- A proud Giorgio Armani sat front row center at the
Salvatore Ferragamo Spring Summer ´03 presentation today in Milan.
The presence of the distinguished, silver-haired designer had the aisles of editors
brimming with whispers and gossip.
But there was no cause for speculation, since Armani showed merely to lend friendly support
to Ferragamo's new women's designer, Graeme Black.
Black, a blond Scotsman, spent six years in the Armani atelier working closely with
the Milanese master on his women's collection.
It was no surprise, then, that the collection Black sent out for the Florentine luxury label
was imbued with references to Armani´s classic style.
Slim-fitting, tailored jackets paired with straight leg pants all had a familiar ring to them.
But the ornate beading splattered on chiffon pants and transparent sleeveless tops blatantly
screamed from whose fashion camp Black matriculated.
The young designer successfully handled his leather pieces, creating laser-cut cropped
jackets with wavy vertical stripes, or skirts with tiny cuts, both of which are sure to
be bestsellers for Ferragamo's classic customer.
And there were piles of swirl- and floral-printed chiffon pieces for those elegant,
but safe, evenings.
Under Black's tutelage, the current Ferragamo customer will certainly have her fair share
of beautiful items.
The workmanship and fabrics were, as usual, stellar.
But the chances of the venerable fashion brand attracting any sort of younger, fresh customer
are slim with this collection.
Armani, who shared a warm hug with his protégé after the show, described Black as
"an exceptional person who is super-sensitive, yet very ambitious and determined
professionally."
Which is precisely the kind of drive necessary for the young designer to start forging
his own road.
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