Everyone knows Giorgio Armani. And if they haven't met him personally, they at least know of him-the white hair, tan skin, trim physique. But how well does anyone who doesn't speak Italian really know a designer who prefers to speak Italian or French?

"He speaks a lot more English than he lets on," said Victoria Beckham, one of Armani's many famous friends who attended the store opening bash at his new Fifth Avenue flagship Tuesday night. "And he's really funny."

"He's a simple man," said Liam Neeson. Really? "Well, he's probably very hard to please, but he's a simple man."

"You get the feeling he's a lover of every kind," said Alicia Keys, who wore Armani on her most recent tour.

Other star pals of the designer who were at the bash included Josh Hartnett, Alison Pill, John Mayer and Leonardo DiCaprio who arrived towards the end of the night and made a beeline straight for Armani and a VIP room in back.