Emporio Armani, the brand Giorgio Armani sees as a container of possibilities, approaches Summer with a sense of lightness in attitude and spirit. For SS23, the Italian luxury fashion house continues to embrace luxurious comfort and presents an understated elegance in its most recent collection.

Monochromatic looks set the show in motion. Immediately, we’re seeing blue from head to toe. The hues of a clear sky fade into a darker sea blue. The sound of a gentle wave crashing plays briefly, followed by a groovy beach tune. Models nonchalantly make their way down the catwalk, creating gentle movements in the garments that adorn their bodies, like liquid fabric. Almost like luxury pajamas that are appropriate to wear to a beach club.

Flowy, delicate shirts are met at the waist with soft trousers cut from the same fabric, held together with a leather belt. Jackets and tunics with precise tailoring and a hint of uniform are as light as the shirts, but with bold details. Vertical slit openings reveal skin, but not too much. A glimpse of vibrant sensuality is perceived through the cut-out detail, which is continued in shortened shorts and overalls. 

Armani’s choice of mixing up to three different types of prints and materials demonstrates the carefree summer scene, somewhere between Gauguin and Reggae parties in the shade of lush palm trees. Once the prints thin out, it’s back to color blocking and mixing & matching lively, natural colors. Natural tones are introduced for the first time before slinking back into the black of the night.

Like we’ve seen before in past collections, Armani’s latest menswear collection stays true to his signature style of relaxed yet luxurious ready-to-wear, yet appeals to a diverse range of tastes. The show ends on a carefree note, with an interpretative dance performance of a young model moving to the rhythm of reggae, further underlying the sheer joy of living and dressing without too much thought.