Armani hotel looks like a psychiatric hospital (says king of out-there fashion)

Roberto Cavalli – famous for his animal-print excess – criticises the taste of Italy's Mr Minimalism

Milan

Last week's womenswear shows in Milan were big hits. But that hasn't stopped the requisite post-runway cat-fight between big-name designers, with the flamboyant stylist Roberto Cavalli sinking his claws into the city's king of minimalist chic, Giorgio Armani.

The two might inhabit the same city – the world's ready-to-wear capital – but they're polar opposites in fashion. Mr Armani thinks less is more. But Mr Cavalli thinks more is more, especially if it involves leopard-skin prints, the colour lime and gold buckles.

From this starting point, egged on by a predictably understated Armani catwalk show last week, and possibly too little coverage of his own creations, Mr Cavalli lashed out. And appropriately for someone who thinks mink is for dressing models or rich old ladies rather than animals, the fur flew, after Mr Cavalli landed a low blow on Armani's Achilles heel: his high-profile hotel in Milan's fashion district.

"Between Armani and me there is an abyss," he told La Repubblica. "Have you seen that new hotel? It looks like a psychiatric hospital," before adding an unconvincing: "Of course, I love Armani." Beauty, after all, is said to be in the eye of the beholder. The Armani Hotel Milano, which opened to much fanfare at the end of last year, forms part of a block housing his various clothing labels and even home products. But the five-star establishment sticks out like a sore thumb in stately Via Manzoni, and has the added disadvantage of being right near what is probably the city's most elegant hotel, the understated but opulent Grand Hotel et de Milan.

A modern building, the Armani hotel appears to be clad in its lower levels in what resemble grey breeze blocks. Mr Armani could point to his meticulously planned interiors. But not everyone has been won over by the relentless good taste inside, a sort of art-deco minimalism in taupe.

The Armani press office failed to comment on Mr Cavalli's criticism of the showpiece building. But it is well known that Mr Armani is no shrinking violet when it comes to voicing opinions – or criticising his fashion rivals.

A few days ago, he took thinly veiled swipes at his more bling competitors such as Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana, asking rhetorically why some designers had to dress women like prostitutes.

And in 2009 Mr Armani accused Dolce & Gabbana of copying one of his designs.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

Your chance to live in Winnie the Pooh’s home

Plus London's buy-to-let hotspots and a new property portal

How can the mortgage market recovery be helped?

Guest post by Richard Sexton, business development director of e.surv chartered surveyors

Where do most millionaires live in the UK?

Plus lateral thinking and living on London's waterways

       

ES Rentals

    Day In a Page

    Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

    He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
    After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

    In pictures: After the flood

    From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
    Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

    Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

    Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
    How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

    How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

    At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
    The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

    John Madin: The man who built Brum

    The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
    School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

    School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

    How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
    James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

    The man who's eaten everywhere

    Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
    A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

    A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

    The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
    Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

    Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

    Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
    Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

    Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

    An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
    Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

    Eat Spam and carry on

    Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
    Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

    Facial hair

    Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
    The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

    The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

    Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
    Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

    Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

    Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
    Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

    Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

    The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats