09/05/07

3:15 p.m.
The condo staff downstairs at the front desk are all aflutter over the imminent arrival of Giorgio Armani, rumored to be staying at one of the W condos while here in town celebrating his label's thirty year partnership with Neiman Marcus.

The BF and I both looked at each other and said, "Giorgio Armani is still alive?" Upon inspection of some of his recent photos, it appears the answer to that question would be: Just barely.

There's a fawning interview published in the Dallas Morning News regarding Armani's then upcoming trip to Dallas, only his second trip to Dallas and his first since the 1980's, and our man Giorgio doesn't seem to hold a very high opinion of the city:

"I'm excited to visit Dallas again," says Armani, taking a rare break from model fittings before the Privé show. "When I was there last, things were so exaggerated. I'm curious to see the new Dallas . . . Texas shoppers are very important to me," says Armani. "I was concerned about the collection I'm showing in Dallas, that it wasn't right for Texans. But a lot has changed since I was there last . . . Fashion has arrived in Dallas; I think the city is ready for it."

Translated, that means: Dallas fashion was more Liberace than Armani. I hope to god that things have changed.

But my favorite quote is this one: "When I was in Dallas 20 years ago, I bought a pair of cowboy boots. I wore them out that night and when I got home started to panic because they wouldn't come off. I also ate the biggest lobster in my life on that trip. It was a liter and a half - and not very good."

In other words, just 'cuz sumthin's Texas big don't mean it's Texas better.

I can see that Neiman Marcus and Armani are going to get along just great this time around.