Style.com fashion correspondent,

Tim Blanks

, put it best when he referenced Armani's collection as reminiscent of

Thierry Mugler

. This season's

Armani Prive

has gone back to the future in a [shocking and unexpected] collection from a designer known for his exquisite tailoring and understated classic design and elegance.

Do I like it? No. I love it.

I love that

Giorgio Armani

surprised everyone. I love that he designed and created a collection based on his artistic inspiration rather than marketability. And speaking of that, if you extract pieces from the collection - a jacket here, a skirt there- many are very wearable.

Armani used silk organza and metallic threading [for extra shine] and featured space-aged hats by milliner extraordinaire

Philip Treacy

. Influenced by the luster, shimmer and saturation of gems, the garments look like metallic liquid, especially in movement.

Photos: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

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