Inside Giorgio Armani’s New York Fashion Show With Brie Larson, Orlando Bloom and More

On Thursday night, the Park Avenue Armory set the scene for a one-night-only performance: Giorgio Armani‘s spring 2025 fashion show. The black-tie occasion brought out stars known for wearing the brand on the red carpet and beyond, including Carmelo Anthony, Brie Larson, Orlando Bloom, Brooke Shields, Lily Allen, Chase Stokes, Zachary Quinto, Lili Reinhart, Allison Williams, Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke, Jonah Hauer-King and Thomas Doherty.

“I got an invitation, and I’m so excited to be here,” said “Monsters” star Cooper Koch, stopping to pose in the old phone booth in the lobby before making his way inside the show space. The actor, who attended with brother Payton Koch, donned an Armani tux for the night. “I feel super comfortable, I feel sexy and clean — and I’m ready to see some fashion.”

“I always feel sophisticated,” said stylist Law Roach of wearing the brand. “I think just the name Armani symbolizes luxury, and it’s so aspirational — but also so attainable. Which I think is the key to his longevity.”

In addition to unveiling his latest collection, the designer was in New York to mark the opening of the brand’s new flagship, located at 760 Madison Avenue.

“Oh, it’s a real honor to be a part of this brand,” said Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is the face of the Acqua di Giò men’s fragrance. “I think Giorgio Armani is the epitome of class and elegance. And, you know, this celebration of this event tonight and the Madison Avenue residence and his sustainability, is remarkable. I think that’s something that he’s always been very strong on — sustainability,” he added. “And that’s what we’ve done for Acqua di Giò as well. So yeah, I feel very connected to this brand.”

Amanda Seyfried was on Facetime as she walked into the preshow cocktail, designed to resemble Grand Central Terminal, with a giant Giorgio Armani clock suspended above a circular bar and train tracks projected on wall screens. No one in the crowd minded the wait for the next departure, in this case the unveiling of the show space at around 8 p.m. Seyfried stopped to chat with Brett Goldstein before finding her banquette seat next to Pamela Anderson and LaKeith Stanfield, while Meghann Fahy caught up with her “A Perfect Couple” costar Liev Schreiber in the next booth.

There were also several designers in the crowd, who were excited to be taking in their first Armani show and pay homage to the Italian designer.

“I mean, this is a man who’s changed the way people dress and the way they live,” said Michael Kors. “I had my first Giorgio Armani jacket when I was 19. I saved up and I wore it to death. And I think he’s a remarkable inspiration for the whole industry.”

“I think it was not being able to afford Giorgio Armani, but trying to look the look as much as I possibly could with vintage,” said Willy Chavarria of his earliest Armani memory. “So I would get vintage jackets and crop them so they’d be billowy in the sleeve — and I still do that look,” he added. “[Giorgio Armani] is the most iconic designer; someone I’ve admired and looked up to my entire life. Someone I’ve constantly been inspired by. So to be here is, like, beyond words for me.”

The runway show had a little bit of everything: an awards season-worthy crowd, almost 100 looks, and a brief show-crasher protesting the brand’s use of alligator skin. (According to a PETA spokesperson, Anderson blew the activist a kiss from her seat.)

After Armani took his bow, waving as the crowd stood to applaud, guests returned to the Armani Station to continue celebrating with cocktails and light bites.

“Pink,” said Stanfield of his initial reaction to the collection. “I love pink. So I love the way that the colors blended into each other so naturally and fluidly. Nothing felt really stark and like a hard turn. It all felt real fluid, and that was an enjoyable experience,” he added. “In the back of my mind, having travel as the back setting really made me look at the bags and accessories a lot differently. What would I carry in there? How would I move with that if I was getting on the plane?”

“It felt very kind of unified and relaxed and chill,” added Steven Yeun. “It kind of felt like it was for everybody. I appreciated that.”

Later in the evening, Chaka Khan emerged onstage to perform for the crowd.

“It’s good to be back in New York. I lived here, you know, for a couple 20 years and I loved it here, and I miss this wonderful city,” Khan said, before segueing to her next song, “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me.” “With that being said…what are you going to do for me?”