Armani is often praised to be a classicist, who despite renegotiating proportions never changes the range of garments that are synonymous with his signature style. Well, in the aftermath of Giorgio’s new collection that acclaim is rendered obsolete, for the man once called a ‘design colonialist’ in light of his firm grip on international fashion, is now tossing out impeccably tailored trousers only to replace them with bloomers. Yes, bloomers in velvet, canvas, and puffy taffeta. Bloomers with blazers, jackets, coats, furs and wraps.

The inexplicable compulsion to deconstruct his legacy, simply to substitute it with a whimsical fad, must mean that Armani is desperate to upstage his own iconic achievement. However, what the master makes does not realize is the very fact that his creations have very little to do with fashion. It is their quality, not invention that sets them apart.

Thankfully, in his frantic clamor to ‘reinvigorate’ the Armani look, the designer did not attempt to reinvent his chic, understated and immaculately crafted jackets. They remained softly tailored, graceful and fitted for all social occasions. Making their appearance in a wide variety of fabrics (ranging from wool to alpaca) Armani jackets proved to be enduring staples of elegance.