Giorgio Armani was born in Piacenza on 11th July 1934. Some decades later he became one of the most famous Italian fashion designers worldwide. He lived with his family in Piacenza until graduation, then moved to Milan to study medicine; but after two years study he left and found work as buyer for the Rinascente. From there, a career ascent that makes him the most famous designer in the world.

He lives in the international reality of Milan and but he never betrayed his modest origins of Piacenza; he recalls with affection his mother and his economic status, saying: “He made us our blouses; simple and elegant things together, we never lost in comparison with our rich friends. Maybe my taste for simple, discrete, essential, even unconsciously arises from that childhood memory: the ability ofmy mother to create beautiful clothes with the little we had - we were a modest family ... " . Maybe my taste for simple, discrete, essential, even unconsciously arises from that childhood memory, breathing a familiar atmosphere whenever he comes back: "the sight of the people you meet me in the street looks good, nothing like Milan: there is a more human, liveable atmosphere...".

And it is true: Piacenza is known as a quiet, liveable city, renowned for the good food and its indisputable artistic beauty.

Piazza Cavalli, located in the heart of town, includes the most significant monuments of the city, the Gothic Palace and the two equestrian statues of the Farnese family, depicting the Duke and his son Alexander Ranuccio. From this square starts a street with the city's most elegant shops and beautiful buildings from the seventeenth century. One must visit the Cathedral of Piacenza, built between 1122 and 1233 in Romanesque style with Gothic elements on the design of the Masters of Como, with an austere and impressive internal.

Last but not least, we have to mention the Patron Saint Church's, St. Antonio, the Basilica, which houses the relics of the saint, once a landmark for the pilgrims along the Via Francigena.