Working with Cate Blanchett, on and off the screen, has always been a highlight for me. She embodies the perfect combination of consummate actor and world-class fashion icon.

In practice, I've had a presence in China since 1998 with my commercial spaces and shops.

There are always protests, whether you do something good or bad. Even if you do something beneficial, people say you do it because it's advertising.

When I was younger, I never laughed. I was always sour. If I look at pictures of me from the past, I never see a smile. I think it came out of my insecurity. I had a lot of complexes.

My brands all are unique in terms of their spirits, but they have the same Armani stamp. There is a level of taste which runs through every single product. Sitting side by side, they are perhaps more stimulating than they would be just on their own. It gives a new idea, a new proposal, a new perspective.

From the elitism of luxury to the democracy of beauty.

I love things that age well - things that don't date, that stand the test of time and that become living examples of the absolute best.