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May 4, 2015
GIORGIO ARMANI: Stylist Yoshiko Hitotsuyama on Armani Jackets and Luxury Fit
GIORGIO ARMANI
From Item Analysis to Styling Suggestions
Stylist Keiko Hitotsuyama on Armani Jackets and Shoes (1)
“Jackets and shoes are my favorite items among all fashion pieces,” says stylist Keiko Hitotsuyama. She is one of the most active female stylists today, handling styling for artists and celebrities, as well as directing apparel brands, primarily for women's fashion magazines. What are Armani's items like through her professional eyes?GIORGIO ARMANIThis time, she shares her thoughts on the jackets from Giorgio Armani's "Capsule Classic" collection and the "Luxury Fit" shoe collection.
Photographs by IGARASHI Takahiro (520)Text by NAKAMURA Akiko (OPENERS)
“A Well-Tailored Jacket is a Must-Have!”
While luxury brands that present innovative creations every season and lead trends often get attention for their avant-garde aspects, that's not all there is to them. Their long history is also a testament to their continuous creation of "classic items" that can be loved for years to come.
Timeless appeal, unaffected by trends. A promise of comfort and ease.—These are the reasons why "classics" remain "classics." Surely, you too have a few items you consider your personal classics.
Among Giorgio Armani's offerings, there are several items we recommend adding to your wardrobe as classics. This time, stylist Keiko Hitotsuyama shares her insights specifically on jackets and pumps.
“Among Armani pieces, the jackets really catch the eye. The line from the neck is exquisite. By adding shoulder pads, the shoulders themselves appear more compact and delicate. The silhouette, forming a slight inverted triangle and then flowing to the waist, back, and hem, is simply perfect. It's as if they fully understand the female form and enhance its beauty. They skillfully express a femininity that is both strong and supple. It's masculine yet elegant.”
This time, we focus on the jackets from Giorgio Armani's "Capsule Classic" collection. These are essential items for working women, offering a modern impression, prioritizing comfort with their materials, and being easy to style for daily wear.
“The materials used are also of very high quality. For me, clothing must be comfortable to wear and have a beautiful silhouette that looks good to others – these are essential conditions when choosing clothes, and the jackets in the capsule collection meet all of them. The leather is incredibly light and soft, fitting the body perfectly. The cashmere double-knit jacket is also wonderful. Furthermore, the combination of different materials and the playful details incorporated throughout are intriguing. You can feel their dedication to fabric innovation.”
How does a professional stylist coordinate these Giorgio Armani jackets? We asked for her tips.
“This Year, I'm Feeling Setups for Jackets”
“Jackets offer such versatility and allow for many different coordinations, but this season, I'm drawn to wearing them as mannish setups. For example, with the velvet jacket in the photo on the right, I'd wear it as a set with matching trousers. Instead of high heels, I'd pair it with menswear-inspired shoes, and add just a touch of femininity, perhaps with a red lip or by showing some décolletage. This kind of styling feels fresh. By changing accessories, it can easily transition to a glamorous party scene. Another option is to wear a slightly longer jacket with very short shorts, creating a dress-like effect, which is also very sexy.”
She also recommends mixing in elements of rock or punk. “A hairstyle like a 7:3 side part also feels new. Because the materials and tailoring are so good, these kinds of ‘deconstructed’ touches don't look cheap.”
So, what specific items pair well with jackets for a contemporary look, considering innerwear and bottoms?
“Until recently, a T-shirt under a jacket was standard, but this season, I'd pair a shirt with a jacket. You could layer a crewneck knit over the shirt; it’s a styling that brings back a slightly nostalgic feel. Button up the shirt all the way to the top, unlike before when two or three buttons were left open. A look that conveys restraint or purity is best.”
Regarding bottoms, “This year, it’s pencil skirts. If you wear a pencil skirt, then a T-shirt as an inner layer is fine. Wide-leg trousers or shorts, like those worn by actresses, also pair well. Pairing a suede jacket with denim for a refined, adult American preppy look is also appealing this season.”
As Hitotsuyama discusses coordinating items, she completes the mannequin's styling. While dressing the jacket, she gently rolls up the sleeves.
“Rolling up the sleeves slightly like this gives the jacket a more stylish feel. You can even fold the cuffs back a bit. If the lining is also made of high-quality material, like Armani's, these styling arrangements work beautifully and look elegant.”
“Color is also key. This year, there are many colorful jackets. While autumn and winter often feature dark items centered around black, adding just one vibrant jacket, like orange, instantly elevates the look with a touch of modernity. It's a highly impactful item that fashion-forward individuals will want to have.”
GIORGIO ARMANI
From Item Analysis to Styling Suggestions
Stylist Keiko Hitotsuyama on Armani Jackets and Shoes (2)
“Magic Pumps That Don't Hurt Even After Hours of Wear! And They Make Your Legs Look Beautiful.”
After jackets, she picked up pumps. These are from the "Luxury Fit" women's shoe collection. Originally developed to fit Japanese customers' feet better, these shoes have become a global hit and are steadily gaining devoted users. While maintaining Armani's signature quality and design beauty, they feature innovative structural forms, such as enhanced arch support.
“Pumps designed with Japanese comfort in mind... yet they're so beautifully designed! The cut across the instep is just at the edge of revealing the base of the toes, and although the heel isn't very high, they make the legs look long and elegant. Despite the shallow cut, they never slip off; they're designed to envelop the entire foot. It's as if their approach to showcasing women's legs is consistent with how they present their clothing – the design clearly prioritizes making women's feet look as beautiful as possible.”
For working women, shoe comfort is paramount. Even if they look beautiful, if they don't fit well or are even slightly uncomfortable, posture can suffer, making them difficult to wear for extended periods. Hitotsuyama herself tried various models from the "Luxury Fit" line and purchased a pair of black patent pumps.
“I usually wear heels of 12-13 cm, but because my job requires a lot of walking, I was looking for shoes that were low-heeled, extremely comfortable, and still stylish. When I slipped my feet into these, I thought, ‘These are perfect!’ The fact that this line has been a continuous offering from Armani makes them feel like they could become a personal classic. The basic colorways are also great. Especially the black patent ones look chic with bare feet, and they can also be worn formally with stockings. This is also thanks to the high-quality materials used... but they seem to work with any outfit, so I can see myself wearing them constantly.”
“Pointed-toe pumps are versatile, fitting both modern and conservative styles.”
When asked for tips on styling pointed-toe pumps, she says, “They have a wide range of versatility, from conservative looks to modern styles, and can even be dressed down with jeans. Honestly, there’s almost nothing they *don't* go with, they’re that easy to wear.”
“The pricing is also great (laughs). At 50,000 to 60,000 yen per pair, you can wear them out and still want to buy another pair. The fact that they are Armani but at a more accessible price point, and incredibly comfortable, is a huge plus.”
Keiko Hitotsuyama
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture. Graduated from Tanaka Chiyo Fashion College. After working as an assistant, she began her career as a stylist. Joined FEMME in 2004. Proposes a wide range of styling tailored to various media, from high fashion magazines to teen publications. Active not only in editorials but also in advertising and commercials. Studied abroad in New York from 2008 to 2009. During her time abroad, she analyzed New York fashion from her unique perspective, published columns in magazines, and shared information through her blog about New York topics and her daily life. After returning to Japan, she leveraged her study abroad experience and network to actively participate in fashion shoots for international magazines. She has continuously styled and created costumes for artists such as BoA, Girls' Generation, and Charice for their album covers, music videos, and live performances. Recently, she has expanded her activities beyond styling to include directorial work, such as collaborating on products with department stores, select shops, and brands.