In the Emporio Armani spring/summer 2012 collection, Armani plays what he describes to be a game of colours that achieves a new and distinctive sense of depth emphasizing the importance of simple elements in creating true contemporary fashion.

Collection notes read, “A stylish take on international espionage, travelling through time and distance, referencing the beat of great nightclubs and the silence of famous hotels.” Emporio Armani’s spring/summer 2012 collection challenges the view of a neo-design touch featuring a striking monochromatic colour palette and subtle pastel notes of pink, green, and sky blue. With the defining colours, or lack thereof, it proved to emphasize the technical brilliance for which Armani is all so well known. Each look featured an array of structured cuts and simple but impacting details – particularly, the boater hats atop white blonde bobs, reptile-skin features, hooped dress hemlines, and Plexiglas collared necklaces that were donned on a majority of the models. The first look featured a masculine cut white blazer outlined in black seams creating a very crisp quality, partnered with a black slim pant that gave it a sleek feminine silhouette.

The collection seems to stray along a very basic appeal, alternating between the dominance of either black or white until it transitions with the addition of pastels and more airy fabrics. This can be seen in the look that included a long white sleeve with prominent black seams, and a flowing silk cream pant cut at the ankles covered in hints of the pink, green, and blue pastel designs. It was also paired with grey booties, a see-through PVC maxi bag and oversized sky blue sunglasses. Aside from the more masculine suits, there were also a series of graceful dresses and skirts varying from structural mid-knee styles to flower embossed silks. The finale struck a unifying chord representing the collection as a whole with two looks – a shimmering sequined shirt and long skirt alongside a black pantsuit both decorated with large black and white flower-style pieces. The collection takes a simple glamour with a new classic to create the Armani allure that is so often sought after.