Giorgio Armani is now taking on Broadway.
In his first theatrical collaboration, the designer has provided the clothes for “China Doll,” a David Mamet play opening in early December starring Al Pacino.
The play is the story of a billionaire Mickey Ross who is ready to walk away from everything with his beautiful young fiancée until one phone call changes everything. The show also stars Christopher Denham as Ross’ assistant.
The play has been in previews for the past several weeks and the reviews have been tough, but ticket sales are brisk because it marks Pacino’s return to Broadway. The actor first stepped on a Broadway stage in 1969 in “Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?” a role for which he won his first Tony Award. In its six preview performances, “China Doll” has grossed $1.1 million.
For “China Doll,” Armani teamed with costume designer Jess Goldstein, who previously worked on “The Rivals”and “Jersey Boys,” to dress Pacino and Denham.
In the first act, Pacino’s Ross wears a black two-button wool shawl collar tuxedo trimmed in black grosgrain silk. The outfit includes a vest and a white formal shirt, bow tie and black velvet slip-on shoes.
In the second act, Pacino changes into a midnight blue two-button peak lapel pinstripe suit with a navy shirt.
An Armani black-and-aubergine printed weekender bag is also featured on stage during the performance.
Denham is also decked out in Armani. In the first act, he wears a light gray two-button notch lapel wool suit with a white striped shirt, blue and brown necktie, a light brown cashmere coat and a brown scarf. He changes into a dark gray tweed jacket with matching pleated trousers, a pale gray shirt and brown striped tie.
According to Armani: “I am always intrigued by the challenge of stepping away from the runway and into new arenas, like the footlights of Broadway. To collaborate with two masters and artists like David Mamet and Al Pacino is a big honor. I’m truly pleased that my designs are worn exclusively in ‘China Doll.'”
Armani has created wardrobes for hundreds of films, plays, ballets and operas since he famously dressed Richard Gere in “American Gigolo” in 1980.
“China Doll,” officially opens on Dec. 4 and will run through Jan. 31 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre at 236 West 45th Street in Manhattan.