The invitation required a black tie. Is it because of the fashion party that you raised your eyebrows? However, few people dared to follow the instructions of the chairman of the board. It’s Giorgio Armani. He arrived in New York City last fall to perform a mic drop for a runway show, coinciding with the opening of an Upper East Side complex that rivals Gilded Age mansions.
There, on the corner of Madison Avenue and East 65th Street, he encompasses the full scope of his world, from Armani/Dolci sweets to custom ristorantes to 10 luxury mansions decorated in modern Milanese style. There is a 12-story colossus. . At 97,200 square feet, the site appears smaller than the original site of the nearby Frick Collection Building. This scale is fitting for someone who, at 90 years old, is to world fashion what Henry Clay Frick is to the steel industry.
For her: Giorgio Armani earrings, dress, pants, handbag, and shoes. Lucite and silver bangle bracelet by Alexis Bittar. Patricia von Muslin rings and bracelets. For him: Giorgio Armani blazer, shirt, pants and shoes.
Fifty years after its founding, Armani remains independent and relies on no one but his vision. He ended 2023 with more than $1 billion in cash and revenue growth. This should strengthen the label against headwinds hitting other parts of the industry.
That October night, 650 guests, including fellow designers Michael Kors, Willy Chavarria and Burberry’s Daniel Lee, paid homage to Armani in formal attire. Some suspect that someone may have left the premises leaving notes on how to do so.
Exterior view of the new Giorgio Armani building at 760 Madison Avenue in New York City.
The building, a partnership between SL Green Realty Corp. and Cookfox Architects, is a testament to Armani’s unique place in the fashion world, but it’s also a lesson in something else: longevity. Perhaps Armani University will be his next stop in building his brand empire. Until then, classes will be held from scratch at 760 Madison Avenue.
Fashion images shot by Jason Kibler and styled by Julia Miller. Lead: Giorgio Armani trench coat, pants, belt and shoes.
This story appears in the February 2025 issue of Town & Country under the heading “The Wizard of Madison Avenue.” Subscribe now
Eric Maza is Town & Country’s Executive Style Director, overseeing print, digital and social coverage of fashion, architecture/design and the intersection of money, power and scandal. Prior to T&C, she led W’s editorial voice across digital platforms, including republishing the trademarked “In & Out” list as a weekly newsletter. Previously, she edited Women’s Wear Daily’s the Eye®, a culture and style news/feature magazine. He was also a media columnist for WWD, reporting for the daily column “Memo Pad” that kept breaking news about the media industry on a highly competitive beat. He began his career as a reporter at the Miami New Times and later worked as a reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He was born and raised in Cuba and lives in New York City. He can be found at X and on Instagram @erikmaza.
