Business - Armani dreams an Indian Dream

Vinod Nair

World-renowned luxury designer Giorgio Armani has set up shop in India at Delhi’s upscale DLF Emporio mall with two boutiques — Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani.

In an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times, the iconic designer, who has dressed such Hollywood stars as George Clooney and Cate Blanchett, was upbeat about his latest venture.

“I believe we will get a similar response in India to the one we have received in places like Russia and China. In markets where Armani has not been widely available, we tend to find that many people already know the brand and are hungry to experience it first-hand.”

Through a joint venture with DLF Retail, the Armani boutiques in Delhi will have the entire collection of merchandise with its retail ambience matching stores in Milan, London and New York. The merchandise will include ready-to-wear, full fabric and leather accessories, fragrances, watches and jewellery for both men and women.

The designer who has dressed Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, said India has always inspired him: “I love the exoticism of India. It is so very different to what I am used to in Europe and America.”

“Sometimes you can see Indian influences in my collections — particularly in my use of iridescent and shiny fabrics like silk, and my deployment of striking colourful highlights. There have also occasionally been trouser-shapes that derive from the Indian jodhpuri.”