Giorgio Armani is one of the most successful designers in the history of fashion. With a net worth of over 5 billion dollars and a company that posts annual returns over $1.6 billion, he is a fashion icon and a true living legend.

Early Years

Armani got his start working as an assistant designer at a fashion house called Nino Cerruti. He worked there from 1961 to 1970 and was in charge of designing menswear for the company. He left them in 1970 to focus on freelance work. Because he no longer had to focus on the instructions of his bosses, it was during this time that Armani started to develop his own style. Then in 1974 he partnered up with designer Sergio Galeotti and established a menswear label appropriately called Armani. A year later the pair introduced a womenswear line as well.

Though he was immensely successful from the start, Armani achieved true international fame when he designed suits and menswear for major Hollywood movies like American Gigolo. In fact, this would become a theme for Armani who would go on to personally design custom suits for the male stars in a number of blockbuster movies.

Armani has also been an avid sports fan for years, so much so that he has twice designed uniforms for the English national football tam. He also designed the outfits worn by the Italian flag bearers' at the Winter Olympics in Turin in 2006.

Expanding Beyond Menswear

But a fortune as large as Armani's was not amassed by designing menswear and sports uniforms alone. The company also manufactures a wide range of products which include: jewelry, watches, eyewear, cosmetics, perfumes and colognes, fashion accessories, and even home interiors.

These products are produced under the following labels: Giorgio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Collezioni, Armani Jeans, Armani Casa, Armani Junior and Emporio Armani. Each line offers customers something different. For example, Armani Casa is not a clothing line, but rather a collection of high-end goods for the home, which include lamps, linens, and even furniture. This demonstrates just how far the Armani brand has come in only thirty-four years.

It is even rumored that Armani is planning on opening a chain of luxury hotels in several of the world's largest cities. At present, the company owns and operates a number of cafes, bars, nightclubs and restaurants all around the world.

Returning to His Roots

But even though Giorgio Armani has expanded his interests as well as his fashion empire in recent years, he has remained true to his roots. In fact, his signature collections all focus on menswear, specifically men's suits. Armani suits and accessories are available in most major department stores and at high end clothing stores around the world.

One accessory Armani has always had a keen interest in is the necktie. It is said that he strongly believes that ties should display simple patterns and should not overwhelm the suit, but rather serve as a compliment to it. To this day, Armani designs simple silk neckties that come in a variety of colors and patterns. He is particularly fond of floral and checkered patterns.