Legendary designer Giorgio Armani has never been one to shy away from controversy. But with his latest interview the eighty-year-old fashion mogul is sure to inflame a few of fashion’s most sensitive topics.
In an interview with British broadsheet The Sunday Times, Armani criticised the state of homosexual fashion, declaring the gay community need not dress camp in order to draw attention.
“When homosexuality is exhibited to the extreme – to say, ‘ah, you know I’m homosexual,’ – that has nothing to do with me. A man has to be a man,” the outspoken creatéur said.
“A homosexual man is a man 100%. He does not need to dress homosexual.”
Armani, who has never denied claims he is gay himself, wasn’t content to stop at his critique of gay fashion. He also held a little vitriol towards the trend of supremely muscled men:
“I don’t like muscle boy. Not too much gym. I like somebody healthy, somebody solid, who looks after his body but doesn’t use his muscles too much.”
The famed Italian designer, who has reportedly amassed a five billion dollar fortune after four decades in the industry, also lambasted those who opted for cosmetic surgery in lieu of aging gracefully.
“A small breast does not have to become big,” he stated in his interview.
“I prefer to look at a natural woman. A woman should be courageous to become older, not be desperate to look younger than her age.”
“With time, a woman’s body is better. As a woman goes to work, has babies, she is strong. She has character. Look at Cate Blanchett.”
No doubt social media will deliver a firestorm of judgment in regards to Armani’s controversial comments. To bring oneself up to speed on this eccentric fashion mogul, be sure to check out FIB’s Masters of Fashion Volume 33, Italians, available now at Amazon.
