Giorgio Armani last night hosted one of the biggest and most star-studded fashion and music events ever staged in London in an unprecedented and glamorous finale to the city's fashion week, writes Deirdre McQuillan, Fashion Editor, in London.
"It is the biggest party I have ever hosted, bigger than anything in New York, Paris or Milan," said the 71-year-old Italian designer.
Eighty-five international models lined up on the catwalk showcasing three collections, and the shiny blue invitations were the hottest tickets in town.
There was tight security around the show's location, Brompton Hall in Earls Court where the four-hour spectacle brought together celebrities from the music, movie and fashion industries. The invite list included Andrea Bocelli, Beyoncé, Jamelia, 50 Cent, Kim Cattrall, Leonardo DiCaprio and Elle McPherson. Fashion editors from China, Japan and Korea were flown in for the show.
Held to promote the opening of the new Emporio shop in London, the event unveiled Armani's spring summer 2007 womenswear collection and also launched his new capsule Red collection. Forty per cent of the profits from this collection will go to the Aids initiative championed by Bono who spoke last night about the campaign to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund to help fight Aids in Africa. Current partners include American Express, Converse, Gap and Motorola.
So far, however, there are no stockists of the Red collection in Ireland since its sale is confined solely to Armani shops worldwide.
The lavish scale of last night's spectacle tended to overshadow the rest of the day's shows such as that of Margaret Howell whose presentation in her Wigmore Street showrooms was as quiet and low key as her clothes. Whether it was a little red gingham dress or a classy take on a parka with striped shirt and slouchy trousers, everything had an easy, garconne look.
Another designer with similar ease and assurance is Nicole Farhi whose lovely, languid mix of cool summer dresses and tweed silk coats was shown in the Royal Opera House's Floral Hall. Suits were slimline, trousers mostly cropped, skirts were pouchy but pretty, and her dresses in white jacquard, polka dot, plain black linen or plaid varied in style.