When I first saw Roberta Armani, she was standing next to Giorgio Armani effortlessly greeting 300 celebrities who had congregated to honor Giorgio’s fashion debut in LA during Oscar week. I thought she was an actress. She’s actually director of VIP and public relations worldwide for her uncle’s billion-dollar fashion empire, orchestrating the most star-studded Armani events and cultivating the brand. Roberta once had aspirations of being an actress, but she’s made a career out of fostering friendships with actors, celebrities, and Armani loyalists. She travels the globe—“Moscow, Paris, LA, Madrid”—and is beloved by all. “I’m a naturalist,” she says. “I try to take the brand he created and keep its integrity in this otherwise tacky world.” She’s a connector, an influencer, and, though she lives in Milan, an NYC devotee. “I love it because people don’t scrutinize you on the street as they do in Milan,” she says. “They celebrate you. New York is energizing, full of life!”
7:00 A.M. Wake up at the Four Seasons Hotel, where I always stay in New York. Put on my favorite cream, Crema Nera, which is made with a natural stone, then go on the treadmill for an hour.
8:00 A.M. Return to my room and eat cereal—I love it!—then get dressed. I go for a classic, elegant look—today, a fitted skirt and blouse. Armani head to toe, of course.
9:00 A.M. Go to a meeting with Bobby Shriver, CEO of (RED), to discuss a section of Armani/Fifth Avenue—our new flagship store that opens in spring 2009—that will sell (RED) items. The store will have everything from gowns to Emporio, and even some dolce!
11:00 A.M. Samuel L. Jackson comes to the first fashion show I host in the store. He’s very stylish and looks great in Armani. Glenn Close comes, and we fit them both.
1:15 P.M. Lunch at Cipriani Uptown with my girlfriends Eugenia [Silva], Jackie [Sackler], Marjorie [Gubelmann], and a few others. I come here almost 10 times a year, but I would love to live on the Upper East Side in an apartment overlooking Central Park.
3:00 P.M. Off to visit the set of Gossip Girl to see Blake Lively, who wants to meet with me. I am always looking for the right people to connect to the Armani brand. Not everyone can.
6:30 P.M. Back at the store for the second fashion show.
8:00 P.M. Attend my friend Katie [Holmes’] play, All My Sons, on its first preview night. Katie performs astonishingly. She is so much in her character—so intense, strong, deep in her acting. Plus, when she is on stage, it’s as if a light turns on above her head and she shines.
