Giorgio Armani

Born in Piacenza, Italy, in 1934, Giorgio Armani is a famous fashion designer known in particular known for his menswear. He formed his company, Armani, in 1974, with $10,000. By 2001, he was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with a yearly turnover of $1.7 billion and a personal fortune of $4.1 billion.

Today, Armani S.P.A. owns many branches and subsidiaries -- Giorgio Armani Private, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Exchange A/X, Armani Junior and Armani Casa -- manufacturing accessories, cosmetics, home interiors, fragrances, jewels, sunglasses and watches.

Armani employs close to 4,700 people in 13 locations around the world and sells his products in about 300 stores across the globe.