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Forget the Batsuit — Bruce Wayne's latest look is engineered by Armani.
Bruce Wayne is probably the classiest superhero-playboy (even his dates – the entire Moscow ballet — are cultured). And luckily, for those of us in the audience who are not exactly following The Dark Knight's broody, convoluted plotline, he's not too shabby in the grooming department either.
In his latest film collaboration, legendary designer Giorgio Armani has designed the suits Christian Bale wears in the film as Batman's alter ego. The elegant wardrobe includes single-breasted, three-button suits in a variety of fabrics, single-breasted tuxedos, and black wool coats, each featuring the traditional customised owner's label—in this case, Giorgio Armani for Bruce Wayne.
“Bruce Wayne is an eminently successful and wealthy man who is used to the best things in life, and his wardrobe needs to reflect this," says Armani. “Hand Made-to-Measure is the pinnacle of the tailor's art, giving the wearer a look that is special and unique to him. As an Armani client, Bruce Wayne demonstrates his status as a discriminating and sophisticated connoisseur of fine fashion, while also showing he has individual tastes."
The collaboration is an especially good fit considering that Armani is the chair of the Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit showcases costumes from superhero movies as well as real-life fashion looks inspired by comic books.
Armani himself is no stranger to creating looks for film — his career-making designs for 1980's American Gigolo brought Italian suits to the masses.
“A man of Bruce Wayne's status would have only the best, so it goes without saying that the label in his clothing would be Armani," noted Dark Knight producer Emma Thomas. “The Giorgio Armani Hand Made-to-Measure collection was especially appropriate, as it is meant for the man who has a singular style and that certainly describes Bruce Wayne."
And in James Bond's closet ...
Batman isn't the only screen hero to get a suave make-over
It's official: When James Bond returns for the next installment of the 007 franchise in November, he'll be ditching the Brioni suits he's worn for the last five movies and taking up with Tom Ford.
Ford confirmed the news recently during men's fashion week as he was preparing to open his new five-story, 11,478-square-foot menswear store in Milan's “Golden Triangle" luxury shopping district.
“It's a terrific representation for us," said Ford. “A lot of people think if you wear conservative clothing your life is dull and uninteresting. But James Bond's life is very interesting, so I thought it was a good fit."
It's not too much of a leap, since Bond actor Daniel Craig was one of the first celebrities Ford dressed in his namesake men's line launched last year, which has a traditional, English bespoke feel.
Ford first made a name for himself in the womenswear arena during his tenure as creative director of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. After his high-profile departure in 2004, he took his rock-star status, dashing good looks and creative energies elsewhere. He's dabbled in publishing, as guest editor for the 2006 Vanity Fair Hollywood issue.
The designer said he didn't differentiate between the way he dressed Bond on screen in Quantum of Solace and the way he dresses the man who plays him. “Their tastes are very similar," Ford said. “Daniel knows himself really well and he likes to keep it very, very, very, very simple. For example, it's hard to get him to wear diamond studs with a tuxedo. He prefers buttons.
“He's the best Bond since Sean Connery. He's a terrific guy to dress and he's pretty powerful with what he wears."
Get the look
The Giorgio Armani Made-to-measure service offers a personalisation of fit and style made to each customer's requirements. It involves scheduling initial appointments with Armani's expert Italian tailor during which the customer discusses his personal style and taste, has his measurements taken, and selects his fabric and lining preferences from a wide-ranging fabric library. Delivery is made within six to eight weeks from the date of the first appointment.
This service is undertaken twice a year in Dubai at the Giorgio Armani store at the Boulevard at Emirates Towers. Armani's tailor will be in Dubai from November 14-16.
Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service
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