Giorgio Armani's 40 years: Aishwarya Rai leads fashion parade

Giorgio Armani celebrated his 40th anniversary in the fashion industry at a star-studded bash in Milan, Italy.

The 80-year-old designer - who founded the brand in 1975 - was joined at the star-studded bash on Thursday (30.04.15) by a host of celebrities including Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, Hilary Swank and Sophia Loren, who all enjoyed dinner followed by a party.

Guests were welcomed into the event - held at Armani's new Silos exhibition space and museum on the Via Bergognone - by a video-montage of A-listers wearing the iconic designer's creations.

He said of the video, which featured images of Dustin Hoffman, George Clooney, Jodie Foster and Helen Mirren: "I wanted to remind people - and myself - that I have done quite a lot over the years."

Many of the guests gushed over the talented designer with 'Blue Jasmine' star Cate Blanchett confessing she shared "a deep personal connection" with him.

The blonde beauty said: "I always feel at ease and myself, even when he goes in many different directions."

Actress Glenn Close added: "I met him in the Eighties. [His was] the first piece of clothing I was ever lent, a beautiful black tunic over pyjama pants. I still remember it, from back when Reagan was president."

While former James Bond Pierce Brosnan told WWD: "I'm so proud to be here, this is his night and I adore his fashion."

During the celebrations Giorgio also opened up about his latest project, an autobiography, which is set to be published by Rizzoli during Milan Fashion Week in September.

He said: "I wanted to share personal thoughts and moments, the ones that I choose to share - there are others nobody will ever pull out of me."

U.S. pop singer Tina Turner pose with Italian designer Roberta Armani before Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate 40th anniversary of Giorgio's career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

Italian actress Sophia Loren pose before Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

Special fashion ambassador for Milan's Expo 2015 Italian designer Giorgio Armani (R) poses with his niece Roberta during photo call before his fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015.  The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

Australian actress Cate Blanchett pose before Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

Italian designer Roberta Armani niece of Giorgio pose before Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

U.S. actress Hilary Swank poses before the Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

Pirelli's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marco Tronchetti Provare pose with his wife Afef before the Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Armani's career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)

Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta poses before Giorgio Armani's fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and to mark the opening of the Expo 2015 in Milan, April 30, 2015. The Milan Expo will open in the city on May 1, following the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Officials are counting on some 20 million visitors to the six month-long exhibition of products and technologies from around the world. (REUTERS)
 

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