This season, Giorgio Armani announced that Emporio is all about the New Pop. By Pop, we are talking about Pop (Art) not Justin Bieber. So, what's the context for this new pop, and how is it different from the 'old?'
For Emporio Armani, it was about taking graphic shapes such as circles, squares and triangles and placing them on the lapels of jackets or on silk blouses and tees as a print motif. The prints had a timely eighties vibe. Pixelated like retro computer graphics, the label avoided a literal sixties connection with Pop Art, saying it was about 'digital designs and classic style.' The label was also talking about 'high tech heroines.' There was a retro futuristic bend - with some teeny, graphic, pink eyelashes applied in a Bladerunner manner and a mirroring of the millennial love for nostalgia and playfulness. Striped mohair short sleeved tees in candy pink and black saw the arrival of circle and triangle as a mismatched pair of eyes, beneath which was a kitsch space invaders style, glitchy graphic - look closely and it was actually a smile. With Fendi's monsters already taking centre stage this season, Emporio Armani is tapping into the days of imaginary friends, arcade games and computers that took ten minutes to switch on. A few years ago now, but the influence of those monster fur coats from Meadham Kirchhoff is still ever so present in fashion - as is their overall love for the dressing up box.
Cutesy touches here at Emporio, like pink skinny belts and a mini patent leather cross body bag - complete with yellow and pink lines and shapes - were teamed with easy eighties silhouettes in cream or black. There was lots of accent colours here, which pleasantly 'popped.' A strong green section delivered a few stand out pieces, including a striped gradient fur, and the last exit: a lightweight sporty black jacket, with armfuls of glittering green beads.
