I recently met with legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani. Powerhouse, visionary, iconic…
many words spring to mind when you consider his impact and influence, not only on fashion, but the wider world of luxury, craft and Italian creativity. Beyond his prowess in every field he casts his famously exacting eye over, and his impeccable attention to detail, I’m always struck by his drive and energy. It’s impressive that, at 88, he shows no signs of slowing down, heading up an empire that remains staunchly independent from the power conglomerates that have snapped up almost every other international fashion brand.
The meeting left me mulling over the concept of ageing, the way we perceive getting old and – in this era of TikTok stars, nepo babies and diminutive despots-in-waiting – how society still seems, unquestioningly, to put so much emphasis and importance on youth. To my mind, knowledge and experience should never be undervalued. History can teach us many things – take the unlikely resurgence of Y2K style, which we examine on p67.
Our ‘Treasured’ feature, where we speak to a diverse range of individuals about a prized possession, is one of the magazine’s most recently added elements of which I’m most proud. It’s a subtle and thoughtful way to get a sense of someone’s personality and passions. This month’s subject – the chef and founder of the River Cafe, Ruth Rogers (p45) – is no exception.
Just like Armani, Rogers has had an illustrious career (one that is far from over!) and exudes a wealth of wisdom when she speaks. Her powerful words relating to what activism means to her – trying to be fair and taking care of those around you, specifically by cooking great ingredients in a beautiful space – have stayed with me since I first read them, and very much informed how we put together the eighth volume of ELLE Decoration Kitchens. Bound at the back of this issue, it’s our annual exploration of what is, undoubtedly, the most important room in our homes.
I’m currently rethinking my own kitchen, so fully understand how daunting it can be, the myriad options on offer and how making the right decisions can take so much time. You can see some of my moodboarding in the column to the right (Danish simplicity, colour, luxury details and timeless tableware all feature). Hopefully these and the latest trends, inspiration and expert advice across this unrivalled 64-page special will help you on your own journey.
As I tackle my renovation project, I can’t help but bear in mind one of Armani’s wisest and most quoted phrases: ‘Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered.’ Enough said.