Armani, The Toast Of The Town; celebrated by Irons, among others
by Julia Robson, The Daily Telegraph (London)
October 20, 2000
The Italian designer and reigning king of minimalist chic is celebrating 25 years at the top.
Julia Robson reports from New York
On Wednesday night, Giorgio Armani celebrated 25 years at the top of his profession by bringing Manhattan almost to a standstill. There was a limousine jamming every block as Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro, Lauren Bacall, Lauren Hutton, Richard Gere, Michelle Pfeiffer, Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson, Isabella Rossellini, Pete Sampras, Lady Helen Taylor and Glenn Close joined the designer at a party for 800 at the Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue.
First, guests witnessed the unveiling of an exhibition which examines Armani's contribution to fashion in the 20th century; then they were taken to the 38th floor of a spectacular uptown building where they danced the night away in honour of the man from Piacenza in Italy.
Kicking off at 7pm, the Guggenheim - which has dedicated six floors to the work of the designer - was a sea of sophisticated black and "greige", Armani's favourite colours.
"I've worn Armani for the past 20 years," said Jeremy Irons, one of the first to arrive, in a long jacket and black shirt, slim trousers and red shoes. "He really cares about how good you look, which is why he is so successful."
Even Salman Rushdie was there. "This is a spectacular event," he said, as he boogied on the dance floor beside Grace Jones. "I don't know who would dare to be anywhere else tonight in New York."