Lady LUX

Roberta Armani, the niece of the famed Giorgio Armani, was at Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island on Oct. 4 to show off one of her uncle’s latest collections, Fall/Winter 2010, to a select group.

The show, which debuted pieces from his namesake line, Giorgio Armani, highlighted men’s and women’s apparel in stunning neutrals with pops of red, green and orange.

A black-and-white wool coat, sassily done in a python print, or the blazer in a tangy orange hue were some of the better investment pieces in the show. However, the dresses were the real showstoppers, whether sheer white cocktail dresses or floor-length, navy silk numbers.

General manager of Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island, Ariela Shani, was impressed by Armani’s looks for Fall 2010 – and proved it by wearing a shimmering silver blazer by the Italian designer.

“Through simplicity, he creates the most magnificent pieces,” she said. “(His) lines are sleek and elegant. I just think his collection is fantastic.”

Although Armani is known for his timeless pieces that easily last beyond a season, lately the designer has been in the limelight for his new penchant for pushing the envelope.

With the highest number of Twitter followers and a no-fear approach to style, Lady Gaga is arguably the most famous person in the world. When Lady Gaga started donning Armani dresses to attend red carpet events, not to mention that the outfits were custom-made for the megastar, the fashion world started buzzing.

Roberta Armani, manager of VIP relations at Armani, was the person responsible for starting the partnership between the two, which she says simply evolved from a mutual adoration for fashion.

“It’s a collaboration of two icons, Lady Gaga and my uncle, performing together,” she said.

Armani creates all of Lady Gaga’s get-ups, such as the spherical space-age gown she wore to the Grammys, from scratch and only for her.

“She’s not wearing what you see on the catwalk today,” Roberta said. “That’s for the Armani customer… but hers are like pieces of art.”

It is Lady Gaga’s ability to wear what no one else will that gives designers a chance to take risks at a time when the economy is telling them to rein it in. It’s especially important for Armani, who is trying to re-establish himself as a brand for women, since the last few years have made him more synonymous with tailored menswear than an Oscar gown.

“She was able to make haute couture a little more demographic and democratic, in the way my uncle did,” the designer’s niece said. “I think a lot of designers are having fun again designing for her. She’s an icon. I think anything she does…people are inspired by her.”

However, Armani has yet to meet his newest muse, and Roberta revealed that the much-anticipated meeting might be happening sooner than later.

She’s playing in Milan on Dec. 4… So it will be the first time that they meet,” she said.

Will he design something for Lady Gaga’s Milan performance?

“I think so. Yes. We’re thinking about something special,” Roberta said with a smile.

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