Giorgio Armani Holiday Swarovski Crystal Collection 2008

The limited edition Holiday collection by Giorgio Armani is all about the glamour as the designer adds the irresistible sparkle of the Swarovski crystals. The collection is inspired by the use of the exquisite stones in Armani’s evening couture dresses which are a combination of delicate details and rich luxurious fabrics for the glamorous sophistication for which the designer is known. The Crystal Collection features four products; the Crystal Palette, the Black Shimmer Puff, the Armanisilk Lipstick, and the Silver Sparkling Mascara Top Coat.

The Crystal Palette is presented in solid black lacquered packaging with glittering details, all encased in a special black velvet pouch. The Crystal Palette is a double-level case that features four shimmering eye shadow shades on top - ranging from silver to gold – while the bottom holds an iridescent body powder in a versatile neutral shade. The four eye shadow shades are silver black (black with sparkling silver,) silver white (metallic light grey, with glitter effect,) golden beige (shimmering rose beige with golden pearl,) and golden white (iridescent golden white.) The price is $98.

The Black Shimmer Puff is black soft puff containing a delicate shimmering powder that adds an instant glamour to any look. The puff is adorned with a black satin bow and is encased in a matte black box. The price is $55.

The Crystal ArmaniSilk Lipstick comes in a precious black lacquered case embellished with Swarovski^® crystals. The lipstick comes in many shades and the exceptional blend of Micro silk powders™ creates a sensual, finely woven veil of rich color that glides onto the lips - dressing them like silk. The price depending on the shade is between $25 and $38.

The Silver Sparkling Mascara Top Coat creates an intense sparkle of light grey, resulting in a luminous and sophisticated silver shimmer effect on lashes. The limited edition Sparkling Silver Top Coat Mascara has a professional comb applicator that makes it easy to achieve perfect lash separation and definition. The price is $28.

The limited edition Crystal Holiday Collection is available at the Giorgio Armani beauty website at www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com and department stores worldwide.

Penelope Cruz for Mango Winter 2008 Collection

Beautiful actress Penelope Cruz and her just as beautiful sister Monica Cruz continue their collaboration with Spanish’ best Mango. The new 2008 Winter Collection is rich in warm and neutral colors to complement the winter white cold outside. Already available in stores and on their official website, the collection is both stylish and affordable offering a feminine sensuality and exotic elegance. The ad campaign is shot by prestigious photographers Mert and Marcus, who have worked with labels such as Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani and Miu Miu, among others. You can find everything from hot winter hats, sexy dresses, stunning coats and the gorgeous croc print black bag. The prices range from $29 for the hats to $319 for the bag. My favorite piece is the stunning black knitted-collar coat featured above which is priced at $225. And if you have ever shopped at Mango, you know that their clothes are made extremely well and can last for a very long time. All these and much more are available here.

Armani’s Oriental Trio Scent “Onde”

Giorgio Armani is introducing a fragrance names “Onde” which is a trio of Oriental scents. Each fragrance was inspired by either the Middle East, India or Japan. “With Onde, the idea is to play on sensuality and refinement,” says Jean-Pierre Charriton, general manager of Giorgio Armani Parfums. The Indian-Kamasutra, “Vertige” is presented in a pink-nectarine bottle complemented by scents of black liquorice, jasmine and patchouli with carnal frangipani flower. The Japan-Geisha, “Extase” comes in a green bottle with scents of sandalwood and cedar combined with heavy florals like narcissus. The Middle East-Harem, “Mystere” is crafted in a purple bottle offering a combination of musk and amber with Moroccan rose and vanilla.

Victoria Beckham is The New Face of Emporio Armani

Victoria Beckham is the new face for the Emporio Armani underwear’s international ad campaign. The ad was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and will debut for Spring 2009. Giorgio Armani is very excited about Posh Spice saying, “Who better than Victoria Beckham to launch our new global Emporio Armani underwear campaign? Victoria is a style icon, a dynamic lady whose influence and recognition will add great excitement to the continued international growth of our Emporio Armani women’s underwear business.” Her husband, soccer star David Beckham is the current face for Emporio men’s underwear campaign.

Giorgio Armani Not Ready To Retire

With Valentino retired and Yves Saint Laurent passing away, there are unfortunately only a handful of the grand designers left today. Giorgio Armani who is a favorite of mine, recently spoke to Italian magazine Il Sole 24 Ore about the idea of retirement.

“It is painful but you need to have the courage that, once it is done, not to have any claims over it,” Armani says. “In the case of reaching a certain age or the market needing a radical change in style, it is extremely difficult for someone who created a company to detach themselves from it.”

Giorgio adds, “The founder is linked to the brand and represents its style. When it comes to replacing the founder there is always a doubt as to whether to change the style. The young designers have all the talent that is needed but in a system made up of only ‘untouchable icons’ that cut off all oxygen, you can also die.”

But don’t worry! The talented designer is not on his way to retirement! “I have never posed myself the problem, looking at the pros and cons… I have not picked my ‘heir’. Touch wood, we’re not talking about it but an organisation that is so precise could easily survive me. I can easily manage this as I have always firmly kept the style, management and ownership in my hands.”

Armani’s Spring/Summer 2009 collections were spectacular and we sure hope that our favorite designer will continue to beautify the fashion runways and inspire our lives with his delicate pieces.

Armani Presents Special Halloween Chocolates

Giorgio Armani’s sweetest line Armani Dolci will feature special Halloween chocolates which will be available starting this week until the end of October. The special Dolci are dark chocolate pralines all enclosed in white chocolate coating suggesting a “tiny ethereal ghost.”

Armani Dolci is a line mainly consisting of delicious pralines in five different flavors and it is made from the finest cacao in the world. Whether you chose white, milk or dark chocolate you can be sure to fall into the world of sweet temptations. True to Armani, the Dolci come packaged in very elegant boxes. Besides the heavenly tasty pralines, the line also features tea, jam, dragees, panettone, and torrone. Yummy!

Unfortunately, Armani Dolci cannot be found everywhere. Its limited access is within larger Armani shops worldwide, like the Milan flagshop on 31 via Manzoni and the Armani Chater House on 11 Chater Road, Central in Hong Kong.

Milan Spring 2009: Giorgio Armani

This collection truly shows why Giorgio Armani is one of the greatest designers ever. Classified by critics as one of his “sexiest seasons in ages,” the spring 2009 collection combined fantasy and elegance into one. The show began with two-button blazers and satin striped pants and ended with glamorous flowing dresses fit for a princess. The colors palette was sensual with soft pinks, whites, nudes and the satin materials only escalated the dreamy appeal. The clothes were sexy but professional and any woman can see herself in each and every one of these beautiful pieces. My favorite? Although, I am lusting after everything, I cannot help but fall in love at first sight with the mermaid-like long dresses at the end which were stunningly romantic. This will surely be a show to remember forever! Absolute beauty and grace! You can watch the full show below with the two videos.

Giorgio Armani Spring 2009 - Part 1

Giorgio Armani Spring 2009 - Part 2

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