THEunperturbed, as always. But the emotion is evident all the same, on the face framed by the black touch, the classic hat of a recent graduate, and by the ribbon of the toga. Giorgio Armani atCatholic University Of Piacenza receives the last honorary degree. A recognition which, underlines the Rector Franco Ringsdoes not want to be a retrospective celebration of his successful career as a stylist and entrepreneur, but rather, in his own words, «a stage in a creative journey from which we still have a lot to expect».
Yes, because the tireless King George is still far from retirement. On the other hand, on paper he graduated on May 11, 2023 in global business management – even if it is not the first time that he has been awarded an award of this type. Entrepreneur, creative and innovator, Armani was capable of an ideal and unprecedented vision. President and Chief Executive Officer of Armani groupamong the leading fashion and luxury companies in the world, with 8,304 employees and 9 production plants. In addition to being the inventor of a style: essential and refined.
The words of the academic institutions
Precisely elegance, the most tangible characteristic of the universe and of the Giorgio Armani man. Evident in its appearance, movements and words, even on the stage of the Municipal Theater of Piacenza, is the location chosen by the University to solemnly award it the title «for the international dimension of the brand, for the holistic approach to sustainability, for the inexhaustible research improvement and awareness of the centrality of the company in the creation of shared value», as he said Anna Maria Fellegaraprincipal of the Faculty of Economics and Law, reading the reasons for the conferment in the presence of the students and the most important personalities of the Emilian city, who came to applaud him. «There are two things that bring me here with great emotion: to receive what you wanted me to recognize and to see Piacenza again, my city, a magical place that fascinated me as a child». Born right in the Emilian city in 1934Armani «is one of the most illustrious sons of Piacenza, who has honored its image in the world» underlined the Rector.
The main merit of King George, precisely in the words of the Rector: «the assumption, in all its implications, of the problematic dimension of the time. Durability, for Armani, is a choice that concerns form and content: classicism of the lines and quality of the material speak of a product designed to resist the run-out of a collection with ease». Anelli also took the opportunity to praise his «constant search for a coherent idea of beauty».
Giorgio Armani’s speech to the students
“Be yourself, but at your best.” This sentence summarizes the exemplary teaching of King George: a precious value to be transmitted to the young generation. And to do it in the best possible way, the stylist has chosen, needless to say, the right words, the simplest ones. From I remember one of the most difficult moments of his career: «Fate put me to the test when he disappeared Sergio Galeotti», said the designer (co-founder of the Giorgio Armani Corporation and partner, who died in 1985 at the age of 40, ed). “Many thought I wouldn’t make it,” Armani says, visibly excited, on stage. «But things turned out quite differently: thanks to my stubbornness and the people close to me I managed to go on. I have always proudly cultivated my independence with courage and confidence».
“I always listen to the opinion of others. But then I’m the one who makes the decisions.” he underlined, with his usual delicate irony.
The importance of work. But also of affection
Donate yourself, talking about yourself to students. And emphasizing some firm points, such as the importance of one’s job. Without forgetting the affections and feelings, as he admitted that even he did, sucked up by commitments, at a certain point in his career: «This degree forced me to remember a path that I took, very demanding, forgetting myself». «I would like it to be an example and a stimulus for the younger ones. Real work takes you far». «Work, hold on to your work, but don’t forget that when you go home you have a cat, a dog, a child, a mother, a grandmother… or a lover. Don’t forget it. Because then, going forward, you discover that you need people by your side».
How to blame him? «Behind is my eye and inside is my taste. The future is on the horizon.”
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