Giorgio Armani has revealed his most prized homeware possession was gifted to him by the singer and guitarist Eric Clapton . The fashion designer , 89, met the rock musician, 79, in the mid 1980s when he dated the Italian television presenter Lory del Santo and was inspired by her to adopt an Italian way of dressing. During this period, Clapton turned away from traditionally rock star clothing items like vests and blouses in favour of Armani suits and began a long term friendship with the designer.
Speaking to The Times , Armani revealed there are three items in his house he “can’t live without” and one of them was given to him as a present by Clapton. When asked what items will “always move house” with him, the designer first mentioned “a drawing of a woman by Matisse that was given to me by Eric Clapton” followed by a portrait of himself drawn by his nephew and photographs of his loved ones that he keeps by his bedside. “I always take [those] along with me when I travel,” he added.
In the mid 1980s, Clapton signed an endorsement deal with Armani and the whole of his band wore the designer’s suits on stage. However, the musician’s loyalty to the fashion house was unpopular with some fans who preferred him to dress more casually. During Clapton’s European tour in 2004, The Guardian ’s Dave Simpson celebrated how the musician had kicked his “heroin, alcohol, and dodgy Armani suits” habits.
“The suits have been binned in favour of jeans, his enti.
