Giorgio Armani Says Gay Men Shouldn't 'Dress Homosexual'
In a recent interview, 80-year-old Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani gave his harsh (and very controversial) opinion about how some gay men present themselves in fashion.
"A homosexual man is a man 100 percent. He does not need to dress homosexual," Armani told The Sunday Times Magazine, a U.K.-based publication. "When homosexuality is exhibited to the extreme — to say, 'Ah, you know I'm homosexual,' — that has nothing to do with me. A man has to be a man."
Armani never defines exactly what he means by "dressing homosexual" but does contend that the word "boring" shouldn't be considered a bad thing.
"Boring? Some people do say that and probably rightly so. But the tough war is not with the critics, it is with my clients. They want Armani. I design for the public, not the fashion industry," the designer said.
Armani also gave his opinion about the optimal male body, saying "I don't like muscle boy. Not too much gym."
"I like somebody healthy, somebody solid, who looks after his body but doesn't use his muscles too much," he told The Sunday Times Magazine.
Armani's comments sparked backlash on Twitter and from LGBT groups and organizations.
"I use my creativity to help people live my style — a simple, elegant style," Armani said. "Fashion's purpose is to make it easier and more elegant to live. Otherwise, what is it about? It's just a game. Worth nothing."
As previously reported, Armani launched a new celebratory website for his brand's 40th anniversary last month. A new visual or story — which will be about historic people and initiatives that have shaped Armani's company.
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