A host of celebrities turned out for a sneak preview of Georgio Armani’s new Armani Casa, which opened in Paris in the heart of the legendary Saint-German-des-Pres district amid great excitement.

Lady Helen Taylor, Armani’s international ambassador, top model Carla Bruni, fellow designer Karl Lagerfeld and actress Kristin Scott Thomas were among the elite who wined and dined with the Italian designer in what is now his second interiors shop in Paris.

Having found it hard to furnish his own home with the merchandise available, Armani decided several years ago to take his minimalist look into the world of interior design. “I am offering the items that I am interested in living with,” he said. So far, he has Armani Casas in Milan, Los Angeles, Manahattan, Athens and Paris, as well as a small boutique at Harrods, London.

To see all the photos from Armani’s chic launch party, plus his clothes which are featured on the fashion pages this week, check out the new edition of HELLO! magazine, on sale now.