SYDNEY: Giorgio Armani is set to make a Sydney sojourn.
The Italian-based design supremo was today named as the new patron of Sydney Theatre Company (STC) after making one of the largest individual financial donations ever offered to an Australian theatre company.
The donation, for an undisclosed sum, will see Armani collaborate on projects to develop Australian theatre practice, foster young and emerging artists and help bring to life the STC's international touring plans.
It will also see him make his first ever trip to Australia next month where he will be welcomed into his new role with a special dinner hosted by STC heads Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton.
Despite being best known for his self-titled international fashion house, Armani has had a long association with the arts, having been named as a founding partner in Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation and being an active patron of Robert Wilson's Watermill Foundation.
He has also collaborated on a number of costumes for films such as American Gigilo, The Untouchables and dressed Sydney-based rugby league team The South Sydney Rabbitohs.
No date has yet been announced for his arrival.