Giorgio Armani criticised for comments comparing fashion trends to rape

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani
(Picture: ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has been criticised this weekend after suggesting that fashion trends were comparable to the rape of women.

Speaking at Milan Fashion Week, the 85-year-old talked about the way women were exploited by a fashion industry that was prescriptive in how they should dress.

According to The Associated Press, he said: ‘We say that women are being raped in a corner. Women continue to be raped by designers.’

Asked to clarify his statements, Armani added: ‘Women can be raped in various ways. Throwing her under a stairwell or suggesting she dresses in a certain way: For me, that is raping a woman.’

He continued: ‘I am thinking of certain ads where women are shown in a provocative way, half naked, and many women feel pressured into looking like that.

‘That for me is rape. It’s unbefitting. Look around, they think that by wearing black leggings and a bomber they become modern. Excuse my outburst and the strong words, but I felt like I had to say this.’

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani acknowledges applause following the presentation of Emporio Armani's Women Fall - Winter 2020 fashion collection on February 21, 2020 in Milan
Representatives at Armani tried to clarify his comments (Picture: SOLARO / AFP)

Armani’s representatives have stressed that he was speaking metaphorically, but his comment have still caused a backlash online, both from those who were there and those who have seen the remarks posted on social media.

Booth Moore, executive editor at fashion trade journal Women’s Wear Daily, tweeted: ‘Giorgio Armani used the word ‘rape’ lightly, several times, to talk about what he doesn’t like about fashion.

Models Pictured at Milan Fashion Week, Woman Fall Winter. 2020 2021
Velvet and silk were the main fabrics showcased in the Emporio Armani AW20 show (Picture: IPA / BACKGRID)

‘The exploitation of women in fashion imagery is not a new phenomenon, far from it. And I do think Armani has tried always to be respectful of women in his work. But the word ‘rape’ is very charged, in any language.’

Tyler McCall, editor-in-chief of fashionista.com, said: ‘I would love to chalk this one up to an age/language/culture barrier but uhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHH.’

The comments were made after Giorgio Armani presented the AW20 Emporio Armani collection, where show notes read, ‘The Emporio Armani woman is strong-willed, eclectic and bold in her decisions. With little regard for mundane rules, she is a young woman that bewilders and astonishes.’

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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/22/giorgio-armani-criticised-comments-comparing-fashion-trends-rape-12281412/
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