His designs are a constant feature in her wardrobe, and such is her loyalty that he was given the honour of creating her wedding dress.So when Giorgio Armani presented his beautiful offerings in Milan, the fashion world was busy guessing which pieces Charlene Wittstock will be showcasing in her new role as Princess of Monaco.
And the maestro seemed to have kept Charlene at the forefront of his mind, with designs for a lady who is "sweet but also very determined" – much like the new royal herself.
Kind-natured and gentle, the exquisite blonde is also athletic, statuesque and confident in her own skin. Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer, loves Armani's strong clean silhouette. And it was a key feature of his new collection in the form of wafer-thin trousers with slits up the sides, strapless dresses and sharp blazers.
The aqua hues of the iridescent silks were even evocative of the South African beauty and her affinity with water.Besides being a former swimming champion, Charlene was given the 'Ocean necklace' as a wedding gift by her husband Prince Albert of Monaco.The stunning piece of jewellery consists of sapphires in three shades of blue, evoking the world's different seas from the waters of the coast of Monaco to the ocean around Africa, and pearl-cut diamonds representing droplets of water.For his breathtaking finale, 77-year old Giorgio sent out three models in identical sheer strapless evening gowns covered in a shower of raindrop sequins.
Over, at Roberto Cavalli black was back. The flamboyant genius combined it with glittering gold to make for the ultimate red-carpet dresses in true Cavalli style.