Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/175740
FROM LEFT: Roberta and Giorgio Armani; Roberta with Sean Penn; a look from the Giorgio Armani Fall 2013 collection; Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé at this year's Oscars; a look from the Giorgio Armani Fall 2013 collection; Naomi Watts in Armani Privé at this year's Oscars. "I believe seeing other cultures is one of the most rewarding things in life. It makes us better people." —Roberta Armani "I wanted to understand how everything worked, every step of the process, from design to production to distribution to marketing." Over 25 years later, a key facet of her position is working directly with celebrities, including everyone from George Clooney to Katie Holmes to Lady Gaga, doing everything from finding the perfect Armani pieces for those boldfaced names to wear on the red carpet to keeping them company in the front row of fashion shows to (in the unique case of Holmes) helping her find the perfect wedding location (naturally, the bride wore Armani). "When we deal with more high-profile people who are in the eye of the world and the media, it's certainly a challenge sometimes, but it's one that is gratifying as much as it is fun," Armani says. "You really have to bring together psychology, the ability to communicate and a sense of style. It's usually about trying to create harmony with the Armani look. The clothes, with their elegant and sophisticated lines, help me a lot." Giorgio Armani was one of the first designers to work closely with celebrities for red carpet 78 BAL HARBOUR wear—something that is now commonplace. "The connection between fashion, celebrities, brands, public relations and high-profile individuals has become its own industry today," she says. "It's quite intriguing to see how that continues to change every day. But since we were the first ones to make the real connection between fashion and the world of entertainment, I feel that a lot of our work is based on wonderful friendships and relationships—true, personal and lasting ones—which make our day-to-day much easier. Everything is less spontaneous and a lot more strategic and planned, but at the end of the day, style is style, elegance is elegance, comfort is comfort and Armani is always relevant." She's unquestionably motivated, and devoted to the company, but, inevitably, it's easy to wonder if the famous last name weighs heavily on her. "It does on occasion, but only if you place too much importance on it," she says. "We have to focus on the bigger picture." Roberta Armani isn't the only family member focusing on that picture: her sister Silvana also works for the company on the design side, as does her cousin Andrea. Although she's always worked for the family business (in various capacities, even as a model at one point), she acknowledges that it's a special experience. "The difference is basically involvement," she explains. "You feel twice the responsibility, but also twice the involvement. It is part of who you are, part of your identity and with that comes the love of doing it and the passion." At the helm, of course, is Giorgio Armani himself, undeniably one of the most influential designers of the last 50 years. "My uncle is a man who made himself without anyone's help, and his example is an essential one," she says. "This taught me the value of dedication and something that follows me every day in everything I do. I learned from him the ethics of commitment, integrity and hard work: I couldn't have asked for a better lesson, but every day I learn from him. He inspires and energizes me. " She is also, incidentally, constantly inspired by her uncle's designs as well. "They give you the ability to always let yourself feel like your best self," she says, which is—from anyone, even a member of a world-renowned fashion family—high praise indeed.