Giorgio Armani’s dazzling Privé Couture AW 21 collection celebrates the joy of reunion

‘Shine’ was the name of Giorgio Armani’s Privé Couture autumn 2021 show, and shine indeed it did at last night’s show at the Italian Embassy in Paris.

Returning to a physical format once again having skipped one season and showed online the next, the 87-year-old maestro delivered a luminous collection effervescing with the joy of being reunited in person once again.

Hollywood stars Diane Kruger and Ashley Park sat front row to witness a series of delicate silk blouses with crinoline ruffles and long skirts in iridescent fabrics with a liquid sheen paired with cropped black velvet jackets.

Models appeared like giant blooms, floating against the embassy’s embroidered backdrop in expertly layered shimmering silk organza gowns that moved with a hologram-like fluidity. These were dresses that, while magnets for a red-carpet lens, look all the more bewitching as they swish and shimmer up close.

Make-an-entrance party pieces came by way of a pale pink diamante-encrusted, feathered silk organza cape and a lilac feathered bolero with twinkling crystal edges, while classic greige Armani tailoring was interwoven with ultra-fine metallic thread for an eveningwear spin.

Via watery florals and a palette of zingy pastels, Armani gave his couture clients a collection with palpable (and much needed) levity. Sheer brilliance.