Armani's most beautiful list

Armani: 30 years in the fashion business

He has dressed some of the most beautiful women in the world and has supermodels queuing up to wear his outfits.

Rosamund Pike is only one of the many international film stars who have paraded his creations on the red carpet at movie premieres.

But fashion legend Giorgio Armani has admitted the woman he finds most alluring is neither a model nor a Hollywood star - but 33-year-old mother-of-three, Queen Rania of Jordan.

He said: "There is a certain type of woman and I suppose Queen Rania could embody that type. She is beautiful, she has the body of a model and she holds herself like the queen she is - what more could you want?"

The 69-year-old designer, speaking on the eve of the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition dedicated to his 30-year career, did admit, however, that he had some Hollywood favourites.

"Think of Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface, when she comes down the stairs in that gold dress - I fell in love with her too at that particular moment.

"There are also some younger actresses today like Mena Suvari. She is beautiful and the way she moves is so sensual. And Julia Roberts - well, just her smile is enough, really."

Armani gave the Evening Standard an exclusive preview of the new show, which displays hundreds of his dresses and suits - with a room dedicated to clothes worn by some of the world's most beautiful women - including the stunning silver gown worn by Pike to the premiere of the James Bond film, Die Another Day.

And, although he is based in Milan, Armani revealed that he saw London as the "source" of fashion. He said: "I honestly believe that fashion starts in London - it is the stimulus, the source for creativity.

"Just think of Carnaby Street in the Sixties - that had such a huge influence; the French, the Americans ... everyone around the world picked it up.

"The spirit that London has is exceptional. There is a great creative freedom here you find nowhere else, and a very sincere love for fashion."

As for British designers, Armani said he particularly admired John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

He laughed off former Clothes Show presenter Jeff Banks's recent attack on Stella McCartney, saying: "She is starting to sell things now, so there you go. The real goal at the end of the day is to be creative and sell too."

The Royal Academy's new Burlington Gardens space may be dedicated to an Armani retrospective - but the designer insisted he had no plans to retire, adding: "I hope I have the passion to continue because this is my life and I do not wish to die early."

Giorgio Armani: A Retrospective runs from Saturday 18 October to 15 February 2004 at the new Royal Academy space at 6 Burlington Gardens.

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