She’s been a Casiraghi for almost six years, but Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi will forever be known as La BB around here. Honestly, we could have paired her with several designers and had a coherent Designer Diary. Dior. Chanel. Valentino. Armani won out because of her unforgettable wedding appearances, which cemented her as a fashion figure to be watched.
Giorgio Armani almost needs no introduction, although there were a few things in his past that actually surprised me. Born in Piacenza, Italy, he spent three years in medical school and completed a stint in the army before turning to the marketing end of fashion. He began as a window dresser at the Milanese department store La Rinascente and eventually moved to the selling floor. His initial foray into design was menswear. He worked for Cerutti, and then freelanced with a ferocious work ethic, producing work for up to ten design houses at a time. In 1976, he established his own label.
Armani revolutionized the design of tailored jackets by removing the inner lining. He imagined the suit as a garment that flowed with the body and didn’t constrain it. That philosophy influenced the design of both his menswear and women’s wear. Armani is not a designer for frills and frou-frou – he is about simplicity and the fit of the garment to the body.
There’s no documentation on how La BB met Armani, or how their collaboration started. It’s not inexplicable though. They are both Italian, and it was inevitable that these two heat-seeking style missiles would find each other.
Beatrice appeared in this liquid blue creation in 2014 – note the surprise design element as she walks away.
In 2015, she appeared at fashion week in classic tailored Armani, in pastel colors.
In a midi coat at the Prive show, 2014.
In contrasting tailoring for the 2014 National Day celebrations.
At the National Day celebrations during her first pregnancy.
The highlight of her Armani wearing was her wedding day. She famously wore a series of five dresses for the big event (hey – she’s rich and we get to see gorgeous clothes – you won’t hear me complaining). For the religious ceremony, she wore a custom-made Giorgio Armani Privé. The chantilly lace dress had a high neckline and 3/4 length sleeves, and it was paired with a sweeping silk tulle veil, also bordered in lace. Although the gown was all lace, there was no stiffness, it seemed to move with her easily and fluidly, in the Armani fashion.
Beatrice Borromeo wore a custom-made ivory #GiorgioArmani Privé gown to her wedding with Pierre Casiraghi today. pic.twitter.com/9yfyGVdpwH
— Armani (@armani) August 1, 2015
Finally, there is the flowing Grecian goddess look from her wedding reception, which is quite simply stunning. Also by Armani Privé, it again showcases flow and movement, and simple, elegant beauty.
Next week we will check in with Her Serene Highness, and the design team she made famous. In the meantime, give us your favorite La BB fashions, Armani or not.