Fashion designer Armani buys home in Antigua

The Antiguan home of Giorgio Armani

Tourism Minister Harold Lovell and Giorgio Armani
Photos by Samoya Kirby

Friday,  January 6, 2006

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua: Renowned Italian clothing and textiles designer Giorgio Armani has made Antigua and Barbuda his destination of choice.

Just recently, after visiting Antigua and Barbuda for many years on board his yacht, Armani decided to spend more time in Antigua by purchasing a home, which he remodeled using everything Armani.

In a recent visit to Armani's home , Tourism Minister Harold Lovell sat and spoke with the man who has a net worth of approximately 1.7 billion as estimated by Forbes magazine in 2001.

The Minister thanked Mr. Armani for choosing Antigua and Barbuda to be the Caribbean island of choice for his home. He presented Mr. Armani with his very own edition of “A little bit of Paradise” as well as samples of the islands’ famous rum Cavalier and World renowned Susie’s Hot Sauce.

With the assistance of Jeff Hadeed, who acted as translator for Mr. Armani whose native tongue is Italian, Mr. Armani related much of what he likes about Antigua and Barbuda, a place which he stated abounds in “Beauty isolated!”

“I am very intrigued at the diversity of cultures present on the island and the ease and flexibility with which the peoples co-exist,” he said. This, he says, he enjoys observing each day during his regular jogs on the outskirts of his property.

He says he feels very safe and the people are warm and helpful. “It is not a case where I feel like a captive in my own home, he says, sipping on a glass of Dom Perignon, beauty and serenity abounds here, but I can indulge in a little island entertainment in nearby St. John’s.”

“I can visit the pizzeria when I want, the club when I want, and the casino when I want. It’s all here in Antigua!” he adds.

Giorgio Armani also has major interests in investing in the island as he is very much interested in preserving nature. His words of advice to Minister Lovell were, “ensure that all developers respect your islands’ resources.”

“They shouldn’t build too close to the shoreline and they should not build too many high rise buildings,” he concluded.

Armani seldom travels to Antigua alone, and is usually accompanied by an entourage of 10 or more persons who are themselves VIP’s. His staff is mostly Antiguan and he buys Antiguan.

Minister Lovell says that this type of relationship could only prove beneficial to an island which is marketed as a mid to up-market destination. “The spin-offs are tremendous for our economy and we endeavor to continue to lift our product to attract such clientele”. 

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