Together, designer Giorgio Armani and photographer Aldo Farai changed the landscape of fashion photography. Inspired by art history and film storytelling, black and white photographs depict men and women through a modern lens. Clothes have lived through the surroundings. Now they have brought about almost 30 years of collaboration in the form of an exhibition at the Jio World Plaza Atrium in Mumbai from February 12th to March 9th. This also marks the opening of the Giorgio Armani store, which will open today at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai.
Earlier, Vogue India spoke exclusively to a Florence photographer about the artistic vision behind his iconic photographs.
VI: Giorgio Armani’s photography defines an era of a particular style. Can you explain the nature of Armani’s designs and your approach to capturing the personality of the people who wear them?
Aldo Fallai: I was able to start with the reality surrounding us and capture the essence of both creations and the people who wear them. In a sense, it is a real translation, presenting an ideal version of the world around us. Visually, I interpreted this as softening certain aspects, making women’s blatantly sexy, curious, and men more stiff and less relaxed.
VI: The exhibition spans almost 30 years of working with Giorgio Armani. What were the most important creative challenges you faced during this time, and how did you overcome them?
AF: We have faced many challenges throughout our long collaboration. Between the show and the creation of the images, we were limited, but we were both tireless workers and were not threatened by our workload. On the contrary, we always took our work very seriously, so the challenges were easy to manage. But it was almost the magical understanding between us that really made the difference. This proved essential to visually expressing Armani’s artistic intentions. When I saw all the pictures from the exhibition together, it brought me back to time.
VI: Your work is often inspired by art history, including Tuscan etiquette and Caravaggio. How do these effects manifest in your fashion photos?
AF: I was born in Florence and still live here. There’s no place I want. As a proud Florence, I live in the history of art. I am fascinated by it and reinterpret it in modern light. But at the heart of this, my approach follows a structure rooted in the late 16th century. There, man is at the heart of all compositions, and light plays an important role. For example, the use of American shots is inspired by these principles.
