Milan's Pinacoteca di Brera has opened a significant exhibition that places garments designed by Giorgio Armani alongside masterworks by Renaissance artists. The show, titled 'Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore,' features over 120 Armani creations. These items are displayed within the museum's permanent collection, creating a unique dialogue between fashion and art.
The exhibition launched on September 24, coinciding with Milan Fashion Week. This event marks a major cultural moment for the city. It also serves as a tribute to Armani, who passed away recently, as he oversaw the planning of this project until shortly before his death.
Key Takeaways
- Over 120 Giorgio Armani designs are featured.
- Exhibition runs at Pinacoteca di Brera until January 11.
- Garments are displayed alongside works by Caravaggio, Bellini, and Raphael.
- Armani personally guided the exhibition's planning.
- The museum also hosted an Armani-curated catwalk event.
A Final Project from Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani, the renowned stylist, was deeply involved in the creation of 'Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore.' Museum director Angelo Crespi confirmed that Armani personally made all decisions regarding the exhibition's layout and content. This makes the show a profound final statement from the designer.
The exhibition was originally planned to celebrate 50 years since the Armani fashion house began in the Brera district. Armani had lived in this area since the 1980s. Crespi stated, "Armani was and remains the symbol of Brera." This connection highlights the deep roots Armani had in the Milanese cultural landscape.
"All decisions about the itinerary were his," Angelo Crespi said, referring to Giorgio Armani's involvement in the exhibition planning.
Fashion Interacts with Renaissance Art
The exhibition offers visitors a new way to experience both fashion and classical art. Some Armani garments appear to echo specific details found in the Pinacoteca's paintings. For example, a collection of dark garments with white details, including a sequined suit and a velvet tailcoat with a floral brooch, are placed near Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus (1606).
Exhibition Details
- Title: Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore
- Location: Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan
- Duration: Until January 11
- Items on Display: More than 120 Armani designs
These dark and light garments emphasize the strong contrast, known as chiaroscuro, in Caravaggio's work. Similarly, mannequins dressed in sand-colored blouses and cotton trench coats are positioned near Bellini’s large painting, St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria (1504–1507). These outfits evoke the veiled Muslim women depicted kneeling in Bellini’s artwork.
Armani's Vision: Atmosphere and Colors
Despite the visual parallels, Armani himself emphasized a different focus for the exhibition. During a museum visit last year, he told Crespi that he was more interested in capturing the "atmosphere and colors" of the museum's rooms. He did not aim to directly compare his designs with the masters' works.
The Brera District Connection
The Brera district in Milan is historically significant for art and culture. It is home to the Pinacoteca di Brera and was also the long-time residence and business location for Giorgio Armani. This exhibition reinforces Armani's deep connection to the area, where his fashion house was established 50 years ago.
Crespi recalled Armani pausing before Mantegna’s Lamentation over the Dead Christ. Armani then stated, "I don’t want to compare myself with these masters." This quote highlights his respect for the classical artists while pursuing his own creative expression within the museum setting.
A press release from the museum stated that the exhibition aims to unite art history and fashion. It invites visitors to discover "striking chromatic and material contrasts." This approach encourages a fresh perspective on both the garments and the paintings.
Broadening the Museum's Appeal
The Armani exhibition is part of a larger strategy by the Pinacoteca di Brera to attract a wider audience. The museum wants to reach beyond traditional art enthusiasts. This initiative follows the launch of Grande Brera, a rebranded museum complex.
Grande Brera includes the Palazzo Citterio, a new modern art space, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Since its launch, visitor numbers have increased significantly. Crespi projects that Brera and Citterio alone will attract 600,000 visitors by the end of the year. This represents a 20% rise compared to the previous year.
Armani's History with Museums
This is not Armani's first collaboration with a major art institution. In 2001, his work was featured in a significant exhibition at New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Gian Luca Bauzano, a fashion writer for Corriere della Sera, noted that the Guggenheim show was groundbreaking.
- Armani's Guggenheim exhibition in 2001 set a new standard.
- It was one of the first major monographic exhibitions by a fashion designer.
- These collaborations help bridge the gap between fashion and fine art.
According to Bauzano, "For the first time, a fashion designer structured a major monographic exhibition around himself." This history demonstrates Armani's long-standing interest in presenting fashion as a form of art within a museum context. The Brera exhibition continues this legacy, further solidifying his place in both fashion and cultural history.
The Pinacoteca di Brera's initiative to combine high fashion with classical art aims to create a more dynamic and accessible museum experience. It highlights the enduring influence of art on design and vice versa.
The exhibition 'Giorgio Armani: Milano, per amore' is open to the public until January 11, offering a unique opportunity to see the interplay between iconic fashion and timeless masterpieces.