Giorgio Armani
Born: July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy

 

Born into a humble family, Giorgio Armani went to the local public school and developed a love for the theatre and cinema. In 1957, he took a job at the Milan department store La Rinascente. He worked briefly as an assistant photographer, before accepting a promotion to its style office, where he imported products from India, Japan, and the US.

Born: July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy

First break: Assistant designer for Nino Cerruti

Company founded: 1974

Based in: Milan

Men’s lines: Armani Jeans (1981), Emporio Armani (1981), Armani Exchange (1991)

Selected awards: GQ Best Fashion Designer (1981), CFDA (1983), GQ Man of the Year (1996), Fashion Group International Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)

Signature quote: "Elegance over excess.”

Worn by: Mark Wahlberg, Robert De Niro, Richard Gere, Pat Riley, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Random facts: Armani attended two years of med school before becoming a designer; chosen in 2003 by David Beckham to design England’s soccer uniforms.

Authentic Armani Jeans, Fragrances, T-Shirt and Clothes are available from a select number of websites.