Giorgio Armani Calls Out the “Rape” of Women in Fashion
At Milan Fashion Week, Giorgio Armani—now 85 and still sharp as ever—stepped onto the sidelines of his Emporio Armani line to drop a bombshell: the fashion industry is essentially “raping” women with fleeting trends and provocatively sexual advertising.
The Scandalous Statement
“It’s about time I say what I think,” Armani declared to the press. “Women keep getting raped by designers… by us.” He twisted the phrase “raping” into a critique of how the industry sells a one‑size‑fits‑all sexual image.
He described how seeing a billboard of a voluptuous model could push a woman into the same role—an implicit form of violation. “You can rape a woman in so many ways: by pushing her to the baseline or telling her how she should dress,” he added.
Fast‑Forget Fashion Trends
Armani’s “sober, elegant” brand has grown into a global name, but this time he shamed the concept of “trend” itself. “I’m sick of hearing the word ‘trend.’ We need to work for today’s woman,” he said. “There shouldn’t be trends.”
- Emporio is all about freedom for women.
- Ranging from short to long skirts, roomy to tight trousers.
- Models can choose styles “if they are sensible.”
Fall/Winter 2020 Show Highlights
The collection stayed true to Armani’s minimalist, neutral aesthetic, but with a fresh twist: recycled fabrics in the R‑EA capsule collection. The show began with black, then shifted to greens and blues—“shops need colors to catch customers’ eye,” Armani pointed out.
Models showcased everything from lace‑trimmed shorts and opaque tights to wide‑legged trousers, all accentuated with ruffled or cinched waist belts. Velvet and silk appeared in party‑ready dresses, while boots and clutches kept the look grounded.
“The Emporio Armani woman is strong‑willed, eclectic and bold. Little regard for mundane rules, she’s young, bewildering, astonishing.”
Coming Soon
Armani will unveil the Fall/Winter 2020 collection for his main Giorgio Armani line on Sunday. Stay tuned—this fashion house is about to flip the narrative on how we view style and empowerment.
