When many people think of Armani (or any other high-end Italian brand), they’ll immediately presume that their products are made in picturesque Italian cities and villages by highly trained (and well-paid) craftsmen, who come from families that’ve been involved in the garment industry for hundreds of years (or maybe more, who knows?).
In this article, I’ll share with you my findings that will help us determine if this is indeed the case.
Read: The ULTIMATE Guide to Armani Lines on the Internet
#1 – Introduction
Before we begin our journey which will take us from picturesque Italian cities and villages to jungles in Asia, it’s important for you to know that … :
(1) … most of information contained in this article is a result of my rich scavenging and bargain hunting careers (especially on eBay), through which I’ve managed to acquire (and resell) plenty of Armani clothes (mostly those from the Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani lines).
(2) … I’m not affiliated with Armani in way whatsoever.
(3) … you read this article first (if you haven’t already) to avoid confusion.
(4) … the focus of this article is on the current Armani lines (Armani Collezioni, Armani Jeans and other discontinued lines won’t be mentioned).
(5) …there may be mention of current geopolitics because they play an important role in the global trade.
(6) … it took me only a few hours to write this article, thanks to copious amounts of Slim Latte and an energy drink from Hell Energy (which is NOT the sponsor of this article 😀 ).
Let’s go!
Read: The WORLD’S ULTIMATE Guide to Prada Lines
#2 – Most Common Questions About Where Is Armani Made
Is Armani Made in Italy?
Yes, some Armani products (most of which belong to high-end lines like Privé and Giorgio Armani) are made in Italy, both in-house in Milan and by various subcontractors which are, for the most part, based in the Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, and Trentino regions of Northern Italy. Many cities in these regions (like Milan, Mantua, Venetia and many others) have been producing textiles, garments, weapons (and armors back in the day) of highest quality since the eleventh century. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the vast majority of manufacturers of high-end clothes prefer to make their products (and in case of Armani, their most expensive products) in those specific regions because they want them to be of highest quality possible. And Italian craftsmen/women, who take great pride on their works, can deliver exactly that!
Read: How to Spot Fake Armani Clothes
Is Armani Made in China?
Yes, a significant part of Armani products (most of which belong to lower-end lines like Emporio Armani, EA7, and Armani Exchange) are made in China by various sub-contractors. The main reason why Armani manufactures these lines in China instead of Italy is to reduce production costs (which will make their products more competitive on the market) – if they were to make them in Italy, their competitors (like Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara and many others) would’ve squeezed them from the mid and lower-end markets in no time because their products would be cheaper AND of same quality!
As of late, it seems that Armani (as well as their competitors) are gradually moving their production out from China to other Asian countries. There are two reasons why they’re doing this.
The first reason is that Chinese workers are becoming too expensive. 30 years ago, many of them would be more than happy to work for $200 a month because China was much less developed back then. Owing to the rapid development of that country, that isn’t the case anymore which is bad news for many producers of mid and low-end clothing (like Armani, Hugo Boss, Zara and so on). Why? Because they’d have to pay their workers and subcontractors more than they used to, which will reduce their profit margins! No company likes that!
The second reason is the deterioration of relations between China and the West (from where Armani and their competitors are from) due to various reasons (concerning Taiwan, Ukraine, Africa and so on) which I believe many of you are familiar with. No company want to be caught “with their pants down” in case the situation deteriorates further!
Read: The ULTIMATE Guide to Hugo Boss Lines on the Internet
Is Armani Made in Turkey?
Yes, a significant part of Armani products (mostly from the Emporio Armani and even some from the Giorgio Armani line) are made in Turkey by various sub-contractors. There are three reasons why Armani makes some of their products there.
The first reason is Turkey’s physical proximity to the European Union and Russia – two VERY big (and thus important) markets for many companies. That means that any single product made in Turkey can be put on sale on these markets mere days after it’s made! You can’t do that if you manufacture products exclusively in the Far East!
The second reason is that Turkey is in a customs union with the EU. That means that any single product made in Turkey won’t be subjected to import taxes when imported to the EU – for example, if Armani were to import a million jackets from Turkey to the EU THEY WOULDN’T have to pay tens of millions of Euros in import duties. On the other hand, if they were to import a million of their jackets from say China…THEY WOULD’VE, which would significantly lower their profit margins!
And finally, the third reason is that Turkey, despite their façade, isn’t really a developed country. That means that their workforce is relatively cheap (cheaper than Chinese), which is something that companies like Armani looove because cheap workforce = bigger profits!
Besides Turkey, Armani also makes significant amounts of items in the Balkan EU member and non-member states (Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Serbia …) for almost the same reasons (closer proximity of those countries to the EU market, no import taxes due some of them being EU member states and relatively cheap workforce).
Read: The ULTIMATE Guide to Ralph Lauren Brand Lines
Is Armani Made in India?
Yes, a significant of Armani items (mostly from the Emporio Armani line) are made in India by various sub-contractors.
As West-China relations deteriorate further with every passing day, I believe that Armani (as well as his competitors) will switch most of their production of cheaper lines to other Asian countries (if they haven’t already), one of them being India. There are three reasons why.
The first reason is that Indian workforce is relatively cheap due to India not being a rich country (having a nuclear and space programs doesn’t make a country rich). As I said before, workforce in poorer countries is cheap, which is something that companies like Armani LOOOOVE because production costs will be much lower that in Italy.
The second reason is that India is developing VERY quicky – they’re poor now, but ten years from now, they probably won’t be! Their middle and upper classes (numbering tens of million of people) are growing with every passing year and they want QUALITY food, shelter and clothing. By making their products in India, Armani is able to fulfill their need for clothing easily since it is locally produced for cheap (cheap workforce and no import duties make an awesome duo 🙂 ).
And finally, the third reason has to do with geopolitics. As of the moment of this writing, India has great relations with the West and even greater relations with Russia and it wants them to stay this way so that it can keep developing. After all…trade wars (and wars in general) are bad for business (like Armani’s) and peace is good for business( like Armani’s)!
Damn…I’m beginning to think like a Ferengi!
Read: The DEFINITE Guide to ALL Canali Lines
Is Armani Made in Thailand?
Yes, a significant of Armani items (EA7 and Armani Exchange, for the most part) are made in Thailand by various sub-contractors. There are two reasons why.
The first reason is that workforce in Thailand (which isn’t that developed) is cheap which, as I said before, companies like Armani love because that means significantly lower production costs (which will make their products more competitive on the market) and, most important of all, bigger profits!
The second reason has to do with geopolitics. As of the moment of this writing, Thailand (like India) has great relations with both the West and Russia and it wants them to stay this way, so that it can keep developing (my inner Ferengi believes that they’ve a great potential as a country).
Information from this section also applies to various other countries Asian countries – Vietnam, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh (cheap workforce and geopolitics).
Read: How to Spot a FAKE Emporio Armani Watch
Where Are Armani Glasses and Sunglasses Made?
Armani glasses and sunglasses are made by Luxottica in Italy (from Giorgio and Emporio Armani lines), Brazil and China (from the Armani Exchange line). In the picture below, I’m wearing one of them (in combination with a vintage Giorgio Armani cashmere blazer).
If Luxottica doesn’t sound familiar, they’re a Milan-based Italian eyewear company (and the world’s largest company in the eyewear industry), whose brands are Costa, Ray-Ban, Persol, Oliver Peoples and Oakley – brands you certainly heard about. They make eyewear for Gucci, Prada and of course, Armani.
Read: 5 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores
Where Are Armani Watches Made?
Armani watches are made in China and Switzerland.
In 1997, Armani signed a long-term partnership with the Fossil Group to design, develop, manufacture and distribute Emporio Armani watches (and later on, Armani Exchange). As of time of this writing that partnership is still in effect.
Watches from the Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange lines are produced in Shenzhen, China and they are powered by various entry-level Chinese and Japanese (Miyota) movements. However, some of Emporio Armani’s more expensive models are made in Switzerland (possibly by Zodiac Watches, a company that the Fossil Group acquired in 2001) and are powered by various Swiss Sellita automatic movements.
And finally, watches from the Giorgio Armani line, like the one shown in the picture below, are made by hand (they take at least four hundred hours to put together) in Fleurier, Switzerland by Parmigiani Fleurier from precious metals and precious or semi-precious stones.
Read: The Best Rolex Submariner Homage Watches You Should Consider Buying
Where are Armani Suits Made?
Giorgio Armani suits are made in Italy.
Emporio Armani suits, on the other hand, are made mostly in Turkey and various Eastern European countries (usually in Bulgaria, Albania and Romania).
Read: Differences BETWEEN an ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA SUIT and a SUIT MADE FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA FABRIC
#3 – So…where Armani Products are Made?
Taking into account that … :
(2) … Emporio Armani is made for the most part outside Italy, in China, Turkey, EU Balkan countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia), India and other Asian countries like Thailand.
(3) … Armani Exchange items are made in China, India and other Asian countries like Thailand.
…we can conclude that a significant portion of Armani products IS made in Italy.
Thank you for reading. If you’ve liked this article and want to see more like them, make sure you subscribe to the e-mail list and to follow me on Instagram!
Until next time.
Your man,
-Leon
Pingback: The WORLD’S ULTIMATE Guide to Prada Lines – Findnolimits
Pingback: Where Are Ralph Lauren Clothes Made? In the US? Or Perhaps in China? – Findnolimits
Pingback: Where is Hugo Boss Made? Is it in Germany? – Findnolimits
Pingback: How to Identify a GENUINE Emporio Armani Watch – Findnolimits
Pingback: The MOST COMPREHENSIVE guide to Corneliani Lines IN THE UNIVERSE – Findnolimits
Pingback: The ULTIMATE Guide to Ralph Lauren Lines – Findnolimits
Pingback: The DEFINITE Guide to ALL Canali Lines – Findnolimits
Pingback: The ULTIMATE Guide to Hugo Boss Lines on the Internet – Findnolimits
Pingback: The BEST AND CLASSIEST Women’s Dress Watches Under $100 You Can Buy in 2023
Pingback: Best Women’s Dress Watches Under $100 You Can Buy in 2023
Pingback: Are Designer Clothes Worth It?
Pingback: How to Spot Fake Giorgio Armani Clothes
Pingback: How to Spot a Fake Hugo Boss Suit/Blazer
Pingback: The ULTIMATE Guide to Giorgio Armani Lines on the Internet