Giorgio Armani has joined the ranks of designer labels that have opened up flagship stores in Africa, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada. Baroque Lifestyle found out all about it
Last month, the Armani Group announced the opening of its first Giorgio Armani boutique in Africa, in prestigious Sandton City in Johannesburg. The group had already opened two exclusive Emporio Armani stores in South Africa, one in Johannesburg and one in Cape Town. The Armani network in Africa also comprises six Armani Jeans stores, one Armani Junior store and two Armani Casa stores.
But this boutique, which was designed by Giorgio Armani himself, with his team of architects, is a first. Located in the new luxury area of Sandton City called Diamond Walk and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo and Dolce & Gabbana, the Armani boutique offers South Africans and visitors from all over the world the opportunity to purchase the exclusive Giorgio Armani women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections as well as shoes, handbags, fragrances, eyewear and small leather goods.
The design of the boutique blends the craftsmanship and modernity for which Armani has become famous and complements the designer’s aesthetic and unique style. Materials used include silk georgette for the floors and pearl grey marmorino plaster for the walls. Sumptuous, luxe furnishings include teak tables with black glass tops and natural bamboo details.
Accessories are placed on transparent shelves; this makes them appear as if they are floating in mid air, and all the lamps and chairs are part of Armani’s magnificent Casa Collection.
The new, striking Diamond Walk section of Sandton City in Johannesburg has added a most luxurious dimension to what is already one of Africa’s ultimate shopping experiences, with a choice of more than 330 stores in the heart of one of the continent’s most affluent cities. Renowned for being an “icon of urban luxury and sophistication” and “the prime luxury retail location in sub-Saharan Africa”, the mall is also one of the largest in the southern hemisphere, and includes many global brands including Apple, Cartier, Montblanc, Khiel’s and MAC cosmetics.
Diamond Walk is certainly a fitting location for Armani, known for being one of the leading fashion and luxury companies in the world, with almost 2,500 stores in more than 60 countries across the globe. So if you’re travelling to Africa, and South Africa in particular, you can rest assured that your shopping can include the very best designer brands.