Giorgio Armani

Known for his menswear, Armani favours clean, tailored lines. He founded his eponymous company, Armani, in 1975 and was one of the most commercially successful Italian fashion designers by 2001. Armani had humble origins. Born in Piacenza, a small town in Italy’s north, he grew up in a close knit family of five. Armani first studied medicine at the University of Bologna, but his experience working in a military hospital did not inspire him and he later found work as a window dresser in Milan. He was promoted to sales in the menswear department, before moving on to Nino Cerruti for his first design role. His first collection was a line of men’s ready-to-wear. The pieces were fluid, relaxed and well-tailored, and Armani soon gained international recognition. He has also been involved with the film industry, designing costumes for various productions such as the American Gigolo, The Untouchables and the Dark Night.