Armani 'hints' Tom Ford as his 'heir'

[rach2jlc]

Personally, I would love to see Tom at Armani, although I realize that perhaps that is just because I want Tom to be working again anywhere. I would probably be just as excited by Tom Ford for Gap if there were such a thing. It is the same with Jil and Helmut... I'd be happy if they came back ANYWHERE.

But, why I'd particularly like to see Tom at Armani is because we all know that Armani isn't going anywhere, so they might as well not get any more boring than they already are. The sales are so high there that the company will continue to exert a dominant force on fashion for quite some time. Perhaps not from a creative/innovative point of view, but nevertheless just as a force.

That being said, I'd love to see them appoint a designer who could shake things up a little bit without being TOO out there. Also, I'd love to see them appoint someone who would be willing to shake things up a little bit rather than just keep producing the SAME collections as Armani over and over just to keep sales high (which might be the case if they appointed someone from Armani's team). Tom is just such a guy to tread those lines. He knows how to add an edge to things without making them look ridiculous or stupid. Yes, sometimes he goes a little too far with his ideas of sexiness, but he nevertheless manages to make most of it work. And, love him or hate him, he's a clever guy.

So, I look forward to it, if it even happens.

John

 

[chantal]

From Today's Page Six:


Giorgio Armani is some times called "Mr. Beige," since his fashions are understated. The Italian has this to say about his competition, Christian Dior: "They've killed haute couture. I love John Galliano, but they've let him do any old thing in order to get maximum international press coverage and to enable him to sell the latest bag and cosmetics . . . Haute couture shouldn't be so theatrical. Women don't want to walk around looking like idiots. I just want —without any intention to preach — to show women they can dress in haute couture without looking ridiculous. I have fun, but one has to be careful. I have a sense of limits." In Harper's Bazaar, Armani says that although he is far from retirement, he can envision a successor if that time comes: "Tom Ford could do it. It could easily be Tom."

 

[Lena]

i like his statements on haute couture , thanks for bringing this in

 

[Pastry]

From Today's Page Six:
"They've killed haute couture. I love John Galliano, but they've let him do any old thing in order to get maximum international press coverage and to enable him to sell the latest bag and cosmetics.

Ha! That's exactly right. Dior is like an oil company, they only worry about the bottom line.

 

[kit]

Ha! That's exactly right. Dior is like an oil company, they only worry about the bottom line.

Actually , that's the only quibble that I had regarding the recent Dior Haute Couture show . which I found to be a revelation , not being a Galliano fan .

The show ostensibly was about the traditions of the house , Christian's mother's wardrobe , the NEW LOOK etc etc .


BUT when you compare that with the pseudo - Versace rubbish that's churned out of the LVMH DIOR MACHINE , you realise that such artistry counts for nothing . The suits rule , so Galliano can strut his stuff 8 or so times a year at the end of the catwalk , but the rest of the time he has to churn out Dior Rasta , Dior Golf etc etc .

In the end it's the MONEY baby !!!

BTW

In all fairness to Armani , he has tried Couture with some success , he has kept his classic customers happy and has the most successful PRIVATE fashion business IN THE WORLD , beholden to no one but himself , and if he came back 200 years from now and looked at his designs , he would not have the sense of shame that I trust Galliano would have when confronted with some of his own ' monstrosities ' .

If he thinks that Tom Ford could curate and modernise such a successful enterprise , then good luck to him and his gorgeous tan !!!

 

[JuiceMajor]

just too brilliant if this is true!!! can't wait for him to make a come back...in style!

maybe another line under his name!

 

[Lena]

we've read it first at tFS

THE NEW ARMANI

WHO would Giorgio Armani pick to replace him, should he ever with to retire? "Tom Ford could do it," the 71-year-old designer, who has repeatedly denied that he has any plans to give up his day job, said recently. "It could easily be Tom." Having launched his first haute couture collection, Armani Privι, just two seasons ago, Armani admits that he's attempting to bring a little normality to the mad world of fashion. "They've killed haute couture," he said. "I love John Galliano, but they've let him do any old thing in order to get maximum international press coverage and to enable him to sell the latest bag and cosmetics… Haute couture shouldn't be so theatrical. Women don't want to walk around looking like idiots. I just want - without any intention to preach - to show women they can dress in haute couture without looking ridiculous. I have fun, but one has to be careful. I have a sense of limits." And despite being in his seventies and having no intention of retiring, Armani has his eye on one man to take his place one day. (July 21 2005, AM)

from vogue uk of today
http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=27658&date=&sid=

 

[Deleted member 1957]

i agree 100% the house needs his spunk to be relevant in this century. The days of overly minimalistic sometimes shapeless fashion are gone.
I think Mr Armani is thinking along the good lines. We dont need another minimalist
abt Gucci and YSL...IMO he did very well in both houses unlike what we are seeing right now. Gucci is slowly but surely headed down give it a few more years

 

[taz]

I think it is only a wish.
it was the same when Piere Berge announced his wish about Viktor & Rolf to take over YSL when TOM left the house.

And i think that TOM would like to focus on his 1st luxury brand in the new century, which will not be less than Hermes, L.V & CHANEL, as TOM & DOM have announced earlier this year.... i guess

 

[Mr-Dale]

Could very well be true taz ^
Even though it's only still a wish, I think Tom would be nice for Armani. I do hope he won't sex it up too much, though. That he keeps the elegance but ads strength with sex, not redeems the strength with sex.

 

[taz]

mr.dale
i don't think so...
tom ford=sex

Could very well be true taz ^
Even though it's only still a wish, I think Tom would be nice for Armani. I do hope he won't sex it up too much, though. That he keeps the elegance but ads strength with sex, not redeems the strength with sex.

 

[LoveKylie]

Hmm.. don't know if I like the sound of this. I loved Tom for Gucci, but for Armani....

 

[LostInNJ]

Hmm.. don't know if I like the sound of this. I loved Tom for Gucci, but for Armani....

I think he could bring in a younger clientelle, but keep the core customer. It would of course be sexy, but I think it would give Armani a boost.

 

[MarryMeTomFord]

the reason Tom Ford quit Gucci group was because they woudnt give him artistic control. why would he go through the same mess again for Armani?
Plus Armani is too vanilla. But knowing now about Tom's alliance with Estee Lauder (another vanilla company until TF), its not very improbable.
Personally i would perfer he come out with his own named label. From what i hear, he is launching his own named menswear label. However there wont be any fashion shows, only by appointment in TF shops. So that would mean we dont really get to see TF in public very often. So for that reason alone, i would rather have him at Armani - that way atleast we could see him sahsay down the runway in that sexy black-white suit and that flirty smile.

 

[nqth]

Oh that's why TF switched to brown:-))

 

[DaraKaye]

Oh that's why TF switched to brown:-))

 

[bearbrick]

nail in head time !

No matter what attributes Tom Ford has , he could NEVER be a successor to Armani .


Giorgio Armani needs a minimalist at the helm , NOT a purveyor of sexy clothing to the surgery sirens of the fashion beau monde .

tom ford at armani ? ...surely mr armani has better sense ...besides...he would be better off with someone younger and definately more talented. so glad to see gucci revenue go sky high in their recent announcement.

armani is a classic and classy outfit......and PRIVATE ......surely armani has more than a few talents from within his group to groom as his successor ?? !!.....

 

[ciaoo]

Tom Ford's designs are really good...
I think Armani is really serious about that.

 

[ciaoo]

tom ford at armani ? ...surely mr armani has better sense ...besides...he would be better off with someone younger and definately more talented. so glad to see gucci revenue go sky high in their recent announcement.

armani is a classic and classy outfit......and PRIVATE ......surely armani has more than a few talents from within his group to groom as his successor ?? !!.....

Though..... I do admit, Armani is Classic.... and Tom Ford is Modern...

 

[stilettogirl84]

I don't think that would work- armani's just not a sexy brand...