Lessons in style and discipline

The death of Giorgio Armani is a personal loss for me.

In 1997 I moved to London as a 24-year-old student and accepted a Saturday job in Armanis Flagship store in Knightsbridge. It was a master class in retail exellence at a time when the brand reached one of its highlights. The shop could easily take £ 100,000 (approx. 115,300 euros) per day. But what was remembered was not just the sales, but Armanani’s philosophy.

Armani taught me that restraint means strength. The stacks of sweaters were never higher than six; Never hung more than three same clothes in a row. These were not arbitrary rules, but lessons in clarity, balance and the discipline of minimalism. The shop design itself was like a still manifesto: beauty is created by leaving out.

Human lessons

There were also human lessons. Armani was the first luxury house in Knightsbridge, which closed his doors on the day of Princess Diana’s death. The shop windows of the boutique quickly filled up with flowers and photos. For a young fashion expert, this showed me that a brand is not only about the image, but also about values ​​and how to react to the world outside of your own doors.

People will rightly remember Armani as Italy’s most successful designer: for the fact that he revolutionized the wardrobe with the deconstructed suit and strengthened his place in pop culture by cinema and prominence. For me, however, his influence was much more direct: he taught me that discipline and durability are as important as creativity. That a dark blue T-shirt and perfectly cut wool trousers can be as expressive as any extravagant look. That true style has existed when it is reduced, conscious and uncompromising.

Many honors will measure Armani from his wealth, his awards or his global empire. I measure it on something quieter: the precision of a folded sweater, the self -confidence of clear lines and the conviction that restraint, implemented with conviction, can be transforming.

Rest in peace, Mr. Armani.