Is there anything more iconic than the ‘Pattinson effect’?
Well, yes – the ‘Armani effect’ as he’s more commonly known. The designer’s unique brand of minimalist yet lavish fashion has often been attributed not only to Giorgio Armani, but to his designs as well.
In an ironic twist of fate, the latest film adaptation of the classic novel “The Great Gatsby” is perhaps the biggest movie event of the year. Not only will it be exhibited in theaters across the country, but it will also be available for streaming on Netflix.
The film reunites Robert Pattinson with his “Twilight” star authority, Daisy Ridley, and brings him back to the lavish parties of the Roaring Twenties. In fact, the costumes for the movie are so striking that they have nearly caused a fashion sensation.
In the film’s costume reveal, Pattinson sported a dazzling array of bespoke Armani outfits, from a yellow panama hat to a blue blazer adorned in white gingham. This is certainly not the first time that the British actor has donned the designer’s creations, and it certainly won’t be the last. In April 2019, he sported yet another custom outfit for the premiere of “The Lighthouse” in New York City – this time in navy attire with matching accessories.
From ‘Twilight’ To ‘Great Gatsby’
It appears as though Pattinson’s infatuation with Armani stretches back more than a decade. Back in 2010, the actor was spotted wearing a yellow panama hat adorned with black checkerboards worn with a white suit and tie at an Armani fashion event in London. He was later photographed wearing a custom black-and-white checkerboard print Armani suit on the golden sands of Marrakech.
As exciting as these events were, they were merely a glimpse of the fashion collaboration to come. For several years, Pattinson kept quiet about his admiration for the designer. However, in 2018, he opened up about his love for the Italian label in a candid interview with Grazia. He said,
“I really enjoy dressing in different ways, but I always go back to Armani. I always feel like a change when I put on an Armani outfit. It’s like putting on a uniform… I really like the way he creates beautiful, simple but also unique and customized outfits, and those are the things that I appreciate about him as a designer.”
A Uniform For The Urban Set
While the luxury fashion industry has shifted to embracing the designer’s distinctive aesthetic and collaborative spirit, it has not always been so accepting. Arguably, Armani most famously broke away from the luxury establishment in 1968 when he closed his flagship Milanese store and began designing clothing for the emerging middle class.
In the decades since, the designer has been credited with helping to define a new era in men’s fashion. This has made him one of the most recognizable and influential designers of the modern era.
However, despite his undying appeal and widespread commercial success, it appears that Armani’s fashion influence does not extend to all of society. As popular as his designs are, it is clear that the designer does not envision himself as the arbiter of taste for the entire world. To this day, the designer still holds strong to his unique vision and does not appear interested in significantly expanding his business beyond Italy.
An Iconic Look From A Cultural Icon
Pattinson isn’t the only global celebrity who has been drawn to Armani’s designs. Since starring as Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby,” the British actor has donned a number of striking looks that paid homage to the designer. In 2019, he opened up about his love for Armani and its unique designs in an interview with Vogue:
“It’s funny, when I did ‘The Great Gatsby,’ Armani was one of the first people I thought of when I was going to design my outfits. I’ve always loved the way his designs look and the fact that he doesn’t do anything in bland, normal clothes. We were talking about this the other day and how he’s made it his business to stand out and be unique, because he feels that people can get bored of what’s normal sometimes. Anyway, when I read the book, I thought, ‘Oh God, this is going to be great. I’m going to be able to dress like this!’ I’ve always loved the elegance and the way he dresses the beautiful women. He dresses the men in a very elegant and unique way, too. So, it was an easy decision. I wanted to design an outfit that was in keeping with the novel’s style and had a sense of place and time – the Roaring Twenties. When I first got the book, I went through it and marked all the places where Jay Gatsby’s outfits were described in detail. It was really tricky finding the right fabrics and the right tailors, but the fun part was just trying to think of the combinations. You get bored of doing the same old thing after a while, but when you’re designing an outfit as a tribute to something, it’s different. It’s like paying homage to someone you admire and love, or to a fashion icon whose work you admire.”
The Evolution Of A Fashion Icon
While “The Great Gatsby” is generally considered a modern classic, it was originally published in 1925, so it’s fitting that Pattinson would want to pay homage to this period in his life. However, it is clear that the actor has not stopped evolving as a style. In fact, his unique appeal and lasting influence is arguably undiminished. When Vogue sat down with Armani to discuss his future plans, the designer hinted at a forthcoming menswear collection that will continue in the same vein as previous efforts. He said,
“I do see a difference. People say I’m not doing anything new, but you can see that I’m pushing the limits in different ways. The designs are more sculptural. It’s a combination of the two – the elegance of earlier collections and the new things I’m trying.”
Indeed, it seems that the designer’s collaboration with Pattinson is as promising as ever, and it is an exciting prospect to see what else the industry has in store for us.