After studying medicine for two years and a brief foray into photography, Armani became a buyer for Rinascente, one of Italy's largest department store chains.

He created innovative window displays for the store and travelled to London to study local fashion, which gave him the opportunity to learn about design and develop his own style. In 1964, he became a designer for Nino Cerruti's men's clothing company, Hitman.

He became a freelance designer and consultant in 1970, designing for brands such as Ungaro and Zegna. In 1974, he launched his first men's collection and set up his eponymous company with close friend Sergio Galeotti a year later.

For his first collection that July, Armani revolutionised the traditional suit, with an unlined and deconstructed jacket for men. A similarly unstructured jacket for women followed soon after. Like Coco Chanel, Armani became known as an emancipator of women's fashion, and said that he 'wanted women to be able to wear jackets, like men, without losing anything of their feminine allure'.

In the 80s, Armani created his signature power suits that came to symbolise elegance and power, with padded shoulders and unusually wide lapels.

Over the years, his work has featured oriental designs, beading and kimono or sarong shapes, thanks to his multi-cultural exposure at Rinascente. He's also known for his red-carpet evening gowns and was one of the first designers to invite celebrities, including Jodie Foster and Beyonce, to wear his designs. A fashion figure himself, Armani often collaborated with film directors such as John Singleton and made costumes for dances and opera.

Armani's collections were launched in the US and Canada in the late 70s and several diffusion brands followed, including Emporio Armani, which provides sportswear and jeans for younger customers, and Armani Junior. After Galeotti's death in 1985, Armani took charge of the business and expanded its production range, launching eyewear, hosiery, fragrances and a phone. In 1991, he established Armani Exchange, which sells more affordable urban wear aimed at younger people.

In 2000, New York's Guggenheim Museum held a retrospective exhibition devoted to his work, and in 2001, Forbes magazine named him Italy's most successful designer, estimating his net worth at US$1.7 billion. Last year, he launched a couture collection called Armani Prive.

At 71, Armani remains the president, chief executive and owner of Giorgio Armani.

The look:

For his autumn/winter women's collection, Armani traded in his signature pantsuits for a sleeker silhouette, featuring nipped-waist jackets with peaked shoulders, pencil skirts and strappy heels. Instead of his usual beige, Armani uses sophisticated colours such as dark purple and black, while evening dresses are dramatic, voluminous and embroidered with crystals.

Velvet is the main fabric in his autumn men's collection. Men forgo ties and add velvet trousers, long velvet coats or coats with plush velvet trimmings. Neutral colours maintain a masculine edge.

Defining moment:

Armani was put on the fashion map when he styled Richard Gere in the 1980 film American Gigolo.

Fun facts:

He appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1982, the second fashion designer (after Dior) to do so. He has also been a goodwill ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Who wears it?

Devotees include Michelle Pfeiffer and Sharon Stone. Zhang Ziyi wore a black beaded bustier and crystal-encrusted grey skirt to this year's academy awards.

What else can I buy?

Products range from accessories to childrenswear, chocolates, cosmetics, eyewear, watches and home furnishings.

Where?

Chater House in Central is home to all Armani lifestyle and fashion boutiques: Giorgio Armani (tel: 2532 7777), Emporio Armani (tel: 2918 0699), Armani Casa (tel: 2532 7755), Giorgio Armani Cosmetics (tel: 2532 7733), Armani Fiori (tel: 2532 7766), Armani Libri (tel: 2532 7744), Armani Dolci (tel: 2532 7728) and Armani Bar (tel: 2805 0028). There are also seven Armani Exchange boutiques in Hong Kong (Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2537 3118).