Fashion Special: Armani hosts fashion gala in Beijing

Giorgio Armani, founder and head of the Armani Group, poses with models during the fashion show in Beijing. Provided to China Daily

World-renowned Italian fashion giant Giorgio Amarni unveiled an event titled "One Night Only in Beijing" at the New Tank in Beijing's 798 Art District on May 31.

The highlight of the evening was a unique fashion show presenting an edited version of the Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani collections for men and women for autumn 2012 to winter 2013 as well as the 2012 Giorgio Armani Priv collection for spring and summer.

Around 1,000 guests attended the event, including renowned artists, members of industry institutions, local and foreign journalists, and the general public.

For the occasion, the Giorgio Armani Priv collection was extended to include 15 new looks paying tribute to the host country.

A number of Chinese and foreign artists were present at the party in Armani dresses, including US musicians Mary J. Blige and Tina Turner; Hong Kong film stars Michelle Yeoh, Shu Qi and Daniel Wu; Chinese artists Fan Bingbing, Tan Yuanyuan and Liu Ye, and actress Guey Lunmei from Taiwan.

Blige performed live at the party wearing a blue Giorgio Armani strapless evening dress for the red carpet and a white Armani jacket and silk pants.

Princess Maria Laura of Belgium attended the event wearing a short, black Armani beaded cocktail dress.

The evening was closed with a DJ set by DJ Jesse Marco from New York.

Giorgio Armani SPA is an international Italian fashion house that designs, manufactures, distributes, and retails haute couture, ready-to-wear items, leather goods, shoes, watches, jewelry, accessories, eyewear, cosmetics and home interiors.

The brand markets these products under several sub-labels, including Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, AJ/Armani Jeans, AX/Armani Exchange, Armani Junior and Armani/Casa.

The Armani name has become synonymous with high fashion and holds great prestige in the fashion industry.

Close observation of contemporary culture, together with a flexible business model, has been the hallmark of the group's success and growth.

Today it comprises more than 5,300 employees and 12 production plants.

Giorgio Armani, 77, founder, chairman and managing director of the Armani Group, was also present at the event.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn