By Samantha Critchell
The Associated Press

Giorgio Armani is one of the influential fashion designers in the world today. His runway styles, mostly sophisticated garments with clean lines, often dictate trends that trickle down to the masses.

Yet, at age 69, Armani also finds himself increasingly in demand as a film wardrober and as creator of red-carpet clothes for Hollywood stars. He makes one-of-a-kind gowns for Julia Roberts and Halle Berry, and throughout this year's movie The Italian Job, star Mark Wahlberg wears an Armani deerskin jacket, and Charlize Theron is seen in an Armani brown leather bomber.

This has left Armani at a crossroads: the one at Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The city and the Rodeo Drive Committee, a business group made up of merchants, landowners and hoteliers, has chosen Armani as the first honoree on its new Rodeo Drive Walk of Style. A 14-foot, torso-shaped sculpture created by artist Robert Graham will serve as the anchor of what organizers hope will become a destination for shoppers.

A smaller version of the sculpture is being installed nearby with Armani's name and a quote from the designer.

Other designers will be added to the walk in the future.

"We are thrilled to have Mr. Armani as our first honoree. He is such an amazing designer, he has such a body of work, he is the definition of elegance - he is the culmination of fashion and film," says Peri Ellen Berne, president of the Rodeo Drive committee

It's true that Armani has been a player in Hollywood for many years despite being born, raised and based across the Atlantic in Italy. In 1980, Armani created the clothes Richard Gere wore in the fashion-conscious film American Gigolo.

It was the first time many Americans were exposed to Armani's sleek signature style. "In a way it is like inviting millions of people to a fashion show," Armani says.

"Hollywood may be in America, but the entire world is influenced by the films that come from Hollywood. Film is the most all-pervasive culture medium of the 20th and now 21st century, so what someone wears on screen can be hugely influential for the audience and for the wider audience of people who follow culture," he adds.

Among the outfits he has created for A-listers, the black jersey gown with back and side cutouts that Roberts wore to the 2002 Oscars is one of Armani's favorites.

"When I was working with her I realized that she radiates such natural beauty and charm that anything too extravagant would take away from that, hence the choice of a simple black dress that framed those features," he says.

If given the chance to dress one classic film character, Armani would choose Cary Grant's character Roger Thornhill in 1959's North By Northwest.

"In North by Northwest you have this great interplay between tense thriller and light comedy. This paradox is carried by the Grant character who manages to look supremely elegant throughout - his clothes the perfect expression of his charm and wit - even when he's being chased by a crop duster," says Armani.