While numerous designers have made significant contributions to the fashion industry, none has been more influential in diversifying women’s businesswear than Giorgio Armani. Born in 1934, Armani first made waves with his work at Cerruti 1881. His influence skyrocketed after he debuted his brand in 1975.
Armani was successful because he could bridge gender divides in the workplace through clothing. Before Armani, men’s business suits had a straightforward and rigid silhouette. The designer revolutionized suits by making them more comfortable and casual, highlighting the body. Compared to traditional suits, Armani’s often lacked padding and used softer colors.
This led suits to become more accessible. A wider range of customers became interested in buying, especially women. While these suits were strictly for men at first, their growing popularity among women led Armani to pioneer female suits, better known as power suits.
While pants had already become a more common piece of clothing in women’s clothing by that time, dresses, blouses, and skirts were still largely, though highly, in the office space. Armani’s women’s suits managed to break through that barrier, allowing anyone to wear suits no matter their gender expression.
Since then, business suits for women have exploded in variety in color and style, thanks to newer designers branching off from Armani to make their own versions. The love for female suits has shown no sign of stopping, and it shouldn’t. The fashion industry is always changing and innovating, but when something is good, it will stay for another designer to add on to it.
