Giorgio Armani's new exclusive Borgonuovo bag adds the perfect accent to a Miami wardrobe, while the brand's Armani/Casa residences reimagine the city's skylines.
The designer concluding his Spring/Summer 2014 Giorgio Armani Privé show, part of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week in January.
Giorgio Armani might be known best as the epitome of elegant, timeless design, but innovation and modernity are also two concepts near and dear to the designer, and his new Borgonuovo bag combines the best of both worlds. Named for Armani’s longtime address at the Via Borgonuovo in Milan, the classic, versatile tote is now available in a limited-edition shade of lime green, designed exclusively for the American market.
“I wanted to condense the sense of purity and surprise that I see in the arts district of Brera, specifically that of Via Borgonuovo, where I have lived since 1982, into the Borgonuovo bag,” says Armani of his inspiration behind the handbag, which is available in medium and small versions at the Giorgio Armani boutique in the Design District. "The functional elegance of the bag’s design conceals unexpected contrasting interiors, just like the austere façades of the buildings on my street, which often conceal beautiful gardens.”
Borgonuovo bag ($3,425).
Featuring adjustable handles with buckle accents along with horizontal and perpendicular seams, the design of the Borgonuovo works to showcase its different surfaces and shades. “The Borgonuovo has a simple, timeless design that works for any occasion,” he says. “It’s a minimalist bag that is well-proportioned.”
Reimagined in bold, exotic materials, the lime green incarnation serves as a Miami-appropriate electric pop of color against the current Armani fashion collection, which has a more subdued palette of gray tones. And while the vibrant shade seems tailor-made for South Beach, the new bag isn’t the only offering the designer has cooking for the Magic City. Soon, those who love Armani clothes and accessories can take their devotion one step further, with an Armani-inspired apartment. Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio has partnered with Dezer Development and The Related Group to design and develop the Residences by Armani/Casa at 18975 Collins Avenue. Designed in collaboration with architect César Pelli, the Residences feature a sleek, 60-story oceanfront tower encompassing 260 luxury condos envisioned with the Armani aesthetic in mind.
“For me, interior design is always about creating a calm and safe atmosphere in which you can relax and recover from the stresses of the outside world,” says Armani. “Aesthetically, I prefer timeless style to anything more overtly fashionable or trend-driven, and many people share a love of this approach, especially where their homes are concerned. My clothing and work for Armani/Casa are united through a shared consistency of approach.”
The Residences by Armani/Casa in Sunny Isles.
Scheduled to be completed in 2016, the Residences by Armani/ Casa will have interiors created by the Armani/ Casa Interior Design Studio, an interior design services branch of the company that was launched in 2003. Under the artistic direction of Giorgio Armani himself, the studio develops designs that take into account cultural, geographical, and architectural elements of the space and location—including custommade built-in furnishings—in order to integrate seamlessly into the landscape.
“Armani/Casa was born from my desire to see my design aesthetic at work in interior spaces,” says Armani, adding that the Miami project is particularly unique and close to his heart. “On a project like this, we get the opportunity to create something really very special—a remarkable living space, imbued with the spirit of modern elegance.” Giorgio Armani, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-861-1515; Armani/Casa, Miami Design District, 10 NE 39th St., 305-573-4331