The Powerhouse Museum's Fashion of the Year selection was devised in 1991 as a means of collecting contemporary dress. The selection aims to represent the significant themes of the year in fashion design and each year outfits are chosen from the ready-to-wear ranges of both international and Australian designers.

Giorgio Armani is a leading Italian fashion designer with an international following. He launched his own label in 1975 and since then has been extremely successful. He made his mark on fashion when his innovative tailoring produced a new kind of suit for men which consisted of an unstructured jacket and looser fitting trousers. An Armani suit became a coveted item in the 1980s when they epitomised understated success. Armani used the same soft tailoring for his womenswear. Typically he uses luxurious and technically advanced fabrics in neutral colours. His clothes are noted for their pared-down aesthetic, comfort and understated elegance. Careful image control has ensured that the classic languid look of Armani designs remains one of the mose influential of current directions in fashion.

Giorgio Armani (b1935) studied medicine in Italy but his first job was as a window display artist at La Rinascente, Italy's leading chain of stores. He joined Nino Cerrutti as a designer in 1961. He set up his own salon in 1970 and started trading under his own name in 1975. He now runs an international fashion empire for which he designs both menswear and womenswear for 4 labels: Giorgio Armani, Mani, Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange. In 1995 an Emporio Armani and Armani Boutique were opened in Sydney.

Giorgio Armani has production studios in Milan and factories in central Italy.

Outfit is from the Autumn/ Winter 1995-96 collection. This outfit was selected by Armani for the 1995 Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Morning Herald Fashion of the Year program. It was worn by a model on 26 February 1996 at the announcement of the 1995 winners. This suit was put together by the Armani team in Milan for the Powerhouse to represent the "classic" Armani look for women.

Outfit, womens, jacket, trousers, bodysuit and accessories, wool / leather / nylon / polyester / viscose crepe / plastic / metal / paper / cotton, designed by Giorgio Armani, Milan, Italy, 1995, packaged pantihose made by Pierre Mantoux, Milan, Italy, 1995

A woman's day outfit consisting of a Herringbone wool jacket with brown wool trousers, a beige long sleeved bodysuit, brown leather shoes, brown leather belt, brown leather gloves, flesh covered pantyhose, and associated packaging.

The fitted long sleeve single breasted jacket is made of brown herringbone wool, it has a V-neck with roll collar and wide lapels. There is a left breast welt pocket and two more at hip level. All the pockets have been sewn closed. Jacket is fully lined with light brown polyester fabric and there are two shoulder pads sewn into the lining. Centre front opening fastening with three brown plastic buttons.

The pair of wide leg tailored trousers are made of brown wool/ viscose crepe. There are soft pleats at the waistband on both fronts. Left side seam zipper fastening with a small brown plastic button. The front is partially lined with light brown polyester.

The bodysuit is made of beige wool/ viscose/ spandex fabric and has a high round neckline. The long sleeves have a ruched opening at the cuff fastened with a zipper. It has high cut legs and a fastening at the crotch of three small metal press studs. Centre back zipper fastening.

A pair of shoes with a rounded toe made of dark brown dull leather in a patchwork design. Short stacked leather heel and sole. Beige leatherette innersoles and lining.
The packaging for the shoes consists of a folded and glued cardboard box with lid covered with glossy white printed paper, 'GIORGIO ARMANI' in black on lid and box. A shoe bag made of unbleached flannel cotton with a grey draw string with 'GIORGIO ARMANI' printed on one side in grey.
The narrow belt is made of brown leather with a cross stitching design and wavy edges. It has a brass buckle and single belt loop.
A pair of short soft brown leather gloves that fasten at the wrist with a small brown leather covered button and loop.
A pair of packaged flesh coloured lycra pantihose. Packaged in colour printed cardboard and clear plastic envelope. On front a photo of a woman wearing a bodysuit and shawl slung over her shoulder. Made by Pierre Mantoux in Italy.
A moulded black plastic coathanger cover with black flock. Impressed in the plastic below the metal hook 'GIORGIO ARMANI' in white.

Designed: Armani, Giorgio; Italy

Made: Giorgio Armani; Milan, Italy; 1995

Made: Pierre Mantoux; Milan, Italy; 1995


Used: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences; Sydney; 1995 - 1996

See parts for marks information

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