Giorgio Armani’s home division is to deck out the interior of exclusive apartments in Rome, as part of a project to convert a historical building into a complex of luxury serviced flats.

Some 62 apartments are planned in the Cavour220 project, a residential block occupying 12,000 sq m and composed of 6 linked buildings surrounding a garden.

Owners will be able to customize the units personal tastes on the basis of layouts and finishes proposed by Armani Casa, admittedly likely a narrow range.

Giorgio Armani has recently opened a huge new store near Louis Vuitton over Roppongi Hills with limited edition commemorative items and a lineup of the latest from this fashion icon.

The interior of the new store was deisgned by Armani himself and includes walls of glass, granite floors and a three VIP lounges for those gentleman that need some personal assistance.

David Beckham is borrowing George Clooney’s Italian mansion ‘to unwind’ as the transfer battle to secure his footballing talents continues.

A source in Italy had reportedly told Hello! Magazine that “George has really taken David under his wing since the transfer trouble started. At the house, David is able to get away from everything, relax and switch off in private.”

The luxurious $8million lakeside retreat, on Lake Como, is just half an hour from Beckham’s Milan base.

Milan Fashion Week kicks off Wednesday in an atmosphere of gloom and doom with some 10 fewer shows in the lineup because of the global financial crisis.

While 95 fashion houses staged shows a year ago, this year’s programme has attracted only 79. A total of 93 brands showed their summer 2009 collections here last September.

Every year, the entertainment community and film fans around the world turn their attention to the Academy Awards. The 81st edition took place Sunday, February 22, 2009 at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre with host Hugh Jackman and glamorous stars and celebrities graced the famous Red Carpet.

Diamonds and fabulous dressed ruled at the Academy Awards, so let’s dream with some stunning images.

Freida Pinto, slumdog millionaire actress, sparkled in midnight-blue beaded lace John Galliano gown and showed off a diamond ring of East Indian provenance and an elegant pair of diamons earrings.

Sarah Jessica Parker, chic and glamorous as usual, wore a sea foam silk tulle Dior Haute Couture bustier gown, cinched at the waist, with an enormous ballerina skirt.

The Spanish actress Penelope Cruz chose a 1950s vintage Pierre Balmain strapless ivory lace gown, hand-embroidered with gold bullion threads, that she got from top vintage curator Rita Watnick’s Lily et Cie. It was perfect to enhance her natural beauty.

Like a mermaid, Anne Hathaway wore a Giorgio Armani Prive’s champagne-colored gown, covered in crystals and circular pailettes with a jeweled dragon brooch on the back.

Kate Winslet wore a one-shouldered gray Yves Saint Laurent gown.

Sean Penn wore a black classic Giorgio Armani.

Mickey Rourke was perfect in a Jean Paul Gaultier white wool tuxedo with a black vest and chained, zipped-up watch pockets. He had, around his neck, a photo pendant of his recently deceased pooch Loki.

And the Oscar goes to…which is your favorite one?

Giorgio Armani has unveiled his vision for his latest store: « Massive » can’t even begin to describe the 43,000 square-foot space that will house all of the designer’s collections - from the mainline Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani ranges to Armani Casa and Armani Jeans.

Set along New York’s trend setting Fifth Avenue, the space, which formerly housed Hugo Boss, will give its customers a “total experience” that will include an in –house restaurant.

Armani himself was actively involved in the design, which was realised by architects Doriana and Massimilano Fukas – the creative minds behind the brand’s Chater House and Ginza Tower concept stores in Hong Kong and Tokyo respectively.