And God said “Let there be light!” Giorgio Armani, a fashion god if ever there was, dedicated his couture collection to light. He called it Lumières, and sent out a dazzling array of glistening, glimmering and sparkling looks. At 90, he has lost none of his dedication to his craft nor his prolific work ethic – there were 93 looks shown in the elegant salons of his new Paris address, Palazzo Armani.

The show marked the 20th anniversary of his haute couture line (and the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary this year). Couture is the metier where Armani is at his most fantastical and experimental,  although he never loses the sense of himself.

Channeling light, Armani chose sumptuous fabrics that reflected and reacted to it, from the sheen of supple satin to an almost liquid black silk, and an abundance of glittering crystal and hand-beaded embroidery.

A series of trouser looks, some shrouded with thin veils of cloud-like fabric, expressed the comfort and ease at the heart of Armani’s elegance, but the show belonged to the gowns.

With the Oscars just around the corner, Armani put on a red carpet tour de force. The variety on show was dazzling: one shoulder with daring cutouts, in a column of liquid satin, lean and glinting with coloured stones, or plunging and covered in crystal embroidery. Armani’s commitment to elegance and excellence is awe-inspiring. He is a true master at work. “Brava! Brava!” rang out the cheers as the designer took his bow.

armani.com