Giorgio Armani: How the corona crisis affects the fashion industry

"I am deeply moved by what is happening," says Giorgio Armani (85) of the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung", the Italian fashion designer reports that he currently feels "there is a lot to do, in different areas". He wanted to use the crisis to work on a better future – especially in the fashion industry.

"The fashion world should slow down," is the opinion of the star designer. In his eyes, the many fashion shows a year and the "trips around the world (…) a waste of resources and a serious damage to the planet and style". Armani therefore appeals to people to be mindful of the environment. "We only have this one planet. Never before have we had to face this fact as much as we do now."

Favorite parts should be valued again

How does the corona crisis affect the fashion world? Armani, who has switched to producing protective clothing in some of his factories, seems to know the answer. "Given the current conditions of survival, we certainly have a completely different attitude to fashion that may seem unnecessary and unnecessary." But once the crisis is over, the perspective would change. People would then "need beauty and appreciate the simple things in life again," says the 85-year-old.

In his opinion, the overfilling of clothing stores should end anyway – and the Corona crisis gives hope for change. Armani is sure that the current situation will have an impact on new collections. "They will certainly be leaner, with just a few pieces," says the designer, who seems to be pulling another lesson from the crisis. "The current terrible experience teaches us something very important: saving money, getting by less and relying on products that are worth it."