Armani attracted an enviable fashion following in the 80s with the unstructured jackets and soft trousers in mineral hues that remain a staple of many a working woman's wardrobe. The lines are never fussy; the decoration never overdone. Prior to setting up his namesake design studio in 1970 with partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani trained with Nino Cerrutti and even worked as a window dresser for a local department store. One of the first to usher in the Hollywoodization of fashion, Armani regularly dresses stars like Michelle Pfeiffer, Jodie Foster, and Cate Blanchett.

"I'm not a typical designer. I didn't play dress-up with dolls; I didn't sketch dresses and I didn't dress strangely."