In celebration of the fashion house’s boutique with Armani/Caffè at Pacific Place, Giorgio Armani and Hong Kong Ballet present a master class in style and movement

Dance and design both rely on discipline and grace, and both are most powerful when they appear effortless. In a recent photo and video shoot with four dancers from Hong Kong Ballet, Giorgio Armani explores how clothes, like choreography, move in rhythm with the body.

For the dancers, wearing Giorgio Armani is as much about sensation as style. “It feels incredible,” says Sun Jia, a coryphée with the company. “The clothes move with me, light and free.” Fellow coryphée Vanessa Lai describes the same fluidity: “The fabric moves with my movements – it’s flowy and soft, giving me more range and freedom.”

That responsiveness is key to a dancer’s performance. Garry Corpuz, a principal dancer, in particular appreciates the stretch in the Giorgio Armani fabric. “When I move, it just follows the movement of my body,” he says.

Wang Qingxin, also a principal dancer, even compares the luxe Italian fashions to high performance dance attire. “As a ballet dancer, we have very strict standards for stage costumes,” she explains. “When I wore Giorgio Armani’s clothes during the shoot, I found that the fabrics and styles they selected closely resemble what ballet dancers would choose – comfortable yet stylish.”

For each dancer, fit and material affect not only movement but also expression. “A perfect fit and beautiful fabric make me feel confident, which elevates my expression,” says Sun. “Clothing is so important to everyone,” Lai adds. “For dancers, the fit, shape and fabric really change the way we move to express ourselves.”

For Hong Kong Ballet’s artistic director Septime Webre, the connection between dance and design feels natural. “Giorgio Armani’s designs are timeless, just as the language of ballet is,” he says. “Elegance and sophistication combined with a soft humanism are hallmarks of both, and as such Hong Kong Ballet is thrilled to be partnering with Giorgio Armani.”

That same balance between structure and softness is evident in the Giorgio Armani boutique that opened at Pacific Place in June. Designed by the late designer and his team, the 182 sqm space unfolds in a series of distinct rooms defined by light, texture and tone. Backlit pillars, platinum panels, and a large LED wall draw visitors inward, while marble-effect flooring, silk wallpaper and marmorino ceilings finished in mother-of-pearl tones create an atmosphere of quiet refinement.

Select furnishings and fittings, including a printed silk wallpaper with metallic thread inserts, were designed specifically for Giorgio Armani boutiques and later included in the Armani/Casa collection. The final space, complete with a private dressing room, is dedicated to eveningwear and can be closed off for privacy. The adjoining Armani/Caffè – the brand’s first in Hong Kong – completes the experience, blending fashion and lifestyle in one unique and cohesive environment.

For the dancers, this attention to detail resonates. Off-stage, they say they look for the same comfort and refinement in what they wear day to day. “I value comfort and elegance,” says Sun, who favours Giorgio Armani’s knitwear and coats. “As a ballet dancer, I prefer comfortable, loose and lightweight clothing in my everyday life,” adds Wang. “During our training or performances, we wear very fitted clothes to clearly showcase our body lines. This is why I would choose Giorgio Armani’s clothes for my everyday wear. The brand’s fabrics and designs align perfectly with my personal style.”

And now, the journey is complete with the opening this November of the final phase of the Giorgio Armani boutique at Pacific Place. The space includes an exclusive fitting room for the Made to Measure collection, further expanding the brand’s presence in Hong Kong while reaffirming its enduring connection to precision, artistry and movement.

CREDITS

Creative Direction / Zaneta Cheng
Talent / Garry Corpus, Vanessa Lai, Sun Jia and Wang Qingxin, from Hong Kong Ballet
Photography / Mario Chui
Videographer / Jessica Chan
Gaffer / Sing Leung
Makeup / Heisan
Makeup Assistant / Elaine Lai, Tsz Yan
Hair / Hillnex Lee
Hair Assistant / Kawai Chan
Stylist / Perpetua Ip
Stylist Assistant / Jerman Chu

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