Mogul Mondays: Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani was born on July 11,1934. He is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company,Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a personal fortune of $8.5 billion as of 2013.

Now lets go back in time and start from the beginning....

After his stint in the armed forces, Armani found a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a department store in Milan. He went on to become a seller for the menswear department, in which capacity he gained valuable experience in the marketing aspect of the fashion industry. In the mid-1960s, Armani moved to the Nino Cerruti company, for which he designed menswear. His skills were in demand, and for the next decade, while continuing to work for Cerutti, Armani also freelanced, contributing designs to as many as ten manufacturers at a time. In the late 1960s, Armani met Sergio Galeotti, an architectural draftsman, which marked the beginning of a personal and professional relationship that lasted for many years. In 1973, Galeotti persuaded him to open a design office in Milan, at 37 corso Venezia. This led to a period of extensive collaboration, during which Armani worked as a freelance designer for a number of fashion houses, including Allegri, Bagutta, Hilton, Sicons, Gibò, Montedoro, and Tendresse. The international press was quick to acknowledge Armani's importance following the runway shows at the Sala Bianca in the Pitti Palace in Florence. The experience provided Armani with an opportunity to develop his own style in new ways. He was now ready to devote his energy to his own label, and in 1975 he founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in Milan, with his friend Galeotti. In October of that same year, he presented his first collection of men's ready-to-wear for Spring and Summer 1976 under his own name. He also produced a women's line for the same season.

In 1979, after founding the Giorgio Armani Corporation, Armani began producing for the United States and introduced the Mani line for men and women. The label became one of the leading names in international fashion with the introduction of several new product lines, including G. A. Le Collezioni, Giorgio Armani Underwear and Swimwear, and Giorgio Armani Accessories. In the early 1980s the company signed an important agreement with L'Oréal to create perfumes and introduced the Armani Junior, Armani Jeans, and Emporio Armani lines, followed in 1982 by the introduction of Emporio Underwear, Swimwear, and Accessories. A new store was opened in Milan for the Emporio line, followed by the first Giorgio Armani boutique. Armani's concern for the end user culminated in the development of a more youthful product with the same level of stylistic quality as his high-end line, but at a more accessible price.

Armani is the man we always can look to for great tailored Italian style.. a great Fashion mogul to look to when molding your career. Study your craft, Hard work and dedication pays off. So get to work Fashion Lovers!!!! 

Mogul Mondays(LATE EDITION!): Miuccia Prada

Today's Late Edition of Mogul Mondays is a bit late but none the less totally worth it!! Spotlight on Miuccia Prada!! 

Prada was born in Milan, the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, founder of the company of the same name. Miuccia and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, took over the family-owned luxury goods manufacturer in 1978. Since then, they've turned it into a fashion powerhouse, acquiring Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and shoemaker Church & Co. She is a collector of contemporary art and owns several personal artworks. In 2002, she opened a contemporary art space, Fondazione Prada, which exhibits work by various international artists. Prada announced the winner of the 2010 Turner Prize. She was listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over 50s by the Guardian in March 2013.

Miuccia Prada was born on May 10, 1949 in Milan, Italy. She attended The High School Liceo Classico Berchet in Milan. After graduating with a PhD in political science, Miuccia attended Teatro Piccolo to study and perform as a mime for five years. She was known to be a member of the Communist party and a champion for women’s rights during the seventies in Milan. In 1978 she entered into her family’s business of manufacturing luxury leather bags, a company established by her grandfather in 1913. Around the same time Miuccia met her now husband and business partner, Patrizio Bertelli. In 1985, Miuccia had her first hit when she designed a line of black, finely woven nylon handbags that instantly became a hit. By 1989, Miuccia designed and introduced her first women’s ready-to-wear collection that was critically acclaimed; men’s wear followed in 1995. Miu Miu was introduced in 1992 as a less expensive women’s wear line that was inspired by Miuccia’s personal wardrobe and nickname. Miuccia was honored with the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America International Award in 1993. The following year she showed her collections in both New York’s and London’s fashion week, although she had already become a staple of Milan’s fashion week. Miuccia’s husband, Patrizio Bertelli, is still the predominant business force in the company who is responsible for the commercial side of products and Prada’s retail strategy.

Miuccia Prada is known for her understated, minimalist, classic, cool, and comfortable luxury. The company has expanded into leather goods, shoes, fragrances, and apparel for both men and women. Prada currently has about 250 stores in 65 countries. 

Miuccia Prada Fun Facts

She's a Taurus just like ME! 

Prada is worth 12.4 Billion Dollars!! (THAT'S WHY SHE'S A MOGUL)

Mogul Mondays Has Begun

EVERY MONDAY we're going to highlight a Fashion Mogul that is an inspiration to us all in some way. I mean they've made it so we all need to take note. The 1st mogul up is someone I personally adore for my own personal reasons and that is Sarah Blakely the founder of Spanx!!!  

         

Sarah Blakely is originally from Florida and originally planned to become an attorney but changed her mind after less than stellar scores on the LSAT's. she in turn worked various odd jobs including working at Disney World, stand up comedy and selling doors door to door. The selling door to door was the sole inspiration for creating Spanx alone. After making many self prototypes and shopping the idea around to manufactures who had no interest she moved to Atlanta, and while still working at Danka, spent the next two years and $5,000 she had set aside in her savings researching hosiery patents and visiting craft stores to find the right material for her product. Eventually coming upon a solution, she wrote her own patent from a Barnes & Noble textbook and incorporated her company under the name Spanx. She eventually found a hosiery factory in Asheboro, North Carolina, which was willing to make her product. She successfully pitched her idea to Neiman-Marcus by personally taking the buyer to the ladies restroom to show her the benefits of Spanx in person. Bloomingdales, Saks, and Bergdorf Goodman soon followed. She handled all aspects of the business from marketing, logistics, and product positioning (preferring that Spanx be sold alongside shoes rather than in hosiery). In November 2000, Oprah Winfrey named Spanx her favorite product of the year and sales took off; soon after Blakely resigned from Danka. Spanx had $4 million in sales in its first year and $10 million in sales in its second year.In 2001, she signed a contract with QVC, the home shopping channel, where she sold 8,000 pairs in the first six minutes.

SARAH DID IT!!! She worked hard and persevered; and at a young age came with something unique and made a way for herself. at 42 years old she is still a young designer and a billionaire to boot!! 

Sarah also has a philanthropic side since Spanx started she has been putting money aside and in 2006 she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training.

Sarah inspires me to continue to be different and motivated as well as reminds me that even if I become MAJOR 15 years from now I will still be young in fashion years so I will continue to strive for my dreams. I know I can make it!!! 

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia