A bevy of Hollywood's most glamorous figures turned out to fete Giorgio Armani on Tuesday, as the designer became the first inductee on the Rodeo Drive Walk Of Style. A commemorative plaque, bearing quotes and sketches from the man himself, was unveiled and he was also presented with a statuette to remember the event.
The new honour, which pays tribute to the fashion industry's greatest figures, has been set up by Beverly Hills authorities and a group of Hollywood business leaders. And there was no shortage of tinseltown stars on hand as a glittering post-ceremony party got underway.
Samuel L Jackson played MC for the evening, as the likes of Michelle Pfeiffer, Steve Martin and Diane Keaton offered words of praise to their favourite designer. Jodie Foster, looking characteristically elegant in a beaded dress, said being fitted by Giorgio was like being painted by Picasso. And Harrison Ford thanked the 69-year-old for "paying attention to us men".
The style guru is a particularly influential figure in Hollywood, as he has been involved in costume design ever since dressing Richard Gere for the 1980 hit American Gigolo. More recently he won plaudits for his work with Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron in The Italian Job.
Dressed in his trademark black pants and T-shirt, the iconic designer said it was a pleasure to have worked on movies all these years. "In a way it is like having millions of people come to a fashion show," he joked.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
